keep to, stay on, etc. the straight and narrow

keep on the straight and narrow

To maintain a morally upright way of life; to only make choices that are considered morally and legally correct. Now that I have a conviction on my record, I really have to keep on the straight and narrow going forward. My father kept on the straight and narrow until the day he died, and I think he regretted never doing anything wild or unexpected when he had the chance.

See also: and, keep, narrow, on, straight

stay on the straight and narrow

To maintain a morally upright way of life; to only make choices that are considered morally and legally correct. Now that I have a conviction on my record, I really have to stay on the straight and narrow going forward. My father stayed on the straight and narrow until the day he died, and I think he regretted never doing anything wild or unexpected when he had the chance.

See also: and, narrow, on, stay, straight

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

keep to, stay on, etc. the ˌstraight and ˈnarrow

(informal) live your life according to strict moral principles: She’s stopped drinking and now she’s trying to stay on the straight and narrow.This phrase comes from the Bible, describing the path to Heaven.

See also: and, keep, narrow, stay, straight

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017