walk the straight and narrow
Stay morally upright
To walk the straight and narrow is to lead a morally upright, law-abiding life, avoiding temptation and wrongdoing.
The phrase suggests disciplined adherence to conventional standards of behavior, often after a period of straying from them.
After his release from prison, he vowed to walk the straight and narrow.
Someone who stays on the straight and narrow resists shortcuts and questionable choices in favor of honest, responsible conduct.
- self-restraintVoluntary impulse control
- toe the lineAdhere to standards
- virtueMoral goodness or merit
- do the right thingBehave with moral integrity
- diligenceCareful, persistent effort
stay on track · integrity · honesty · moral high ground · piety · righteousness · keep the faith · perseverance · temperance · rectitude · obedience · good behavior · moderation · sobriety · clean living · redemption · turn over a new leaf · repentance
walk the straight and narrowgo astray
Veer from course
stray from the path · fall from grace · live in sin · go off the rails · sin
walk the straight and narrowbreak the rules
color outside the lines · go rogue · live on the edge · rebel · live dangerously
walk the straight and narrowthrow caution to the wind
Act recklessly, disregarding consequences
let oneself go · lose control · sow wild oats · run wild · carouse
walked, walking, walker, walkers, straight, straighter, straightest, straighten, straightened