narrow

keep to the straight and narrow

Fig. to behave properly and correctly; to stay out of trouble. If you keep to the straight and narrow, you can't help but win in the end. I always keep to the straight and narrow.

See also: and, keep, straight

narrow something down (to people or things)

to reduce a list of possibilities from many to a selected few. We can narrow the choice down to green or red. We narrowed down the choice to you or Paul.

narrow squeak

Fig. a success almost not achieved; a lucky or marginal success; a problem almost not surmounted. That was a narrow squeak. I don't know how I survived. Another narrow squeak like that and I'll give up.

See also: squeak

the straight and narrow

Fig. a straight and law-abiding route through life. (Referring to a morally rigid and correct course of behavior. Fixed order.) You should have no trouble with the police if you stick to the straight and narrow. Roger was the kind who followed the straight and narrow every day of his life.

See also: and, straight

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a narrow escape

a situation in which you were lucky because you just managed to avoid danger or trouble He only just got out of the vehicle before the whole thing blew up. It was a narrow escape.

See also: escape

the straight and narrow  (humorous)

if you keep on the straight and narrow, you behave in a way that is honest and moral The threat of a good beating should keep him on the straight and narrow. Have you ever been tempted to stray from the straight and narrow?

See from the horse's mouth, be as stiff as a ramrod, couldn't lie straight in bed, keep a straight face, play a straight bat

See also: and, straight

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the straight and narrow (path)

behavior that is correct and moral You have to keep to the straight and narrow if you want to stay on her good side.

See also: and, straight