The straight and narrow
The straight and narrow means an honest, morally upright way of living; it comes from the story of Jesus teaching about a narrow gate and a difficult road in The Bible. Today, it often means avoiding crime, temptation, or bad habits.
Where it comes from
The biblical path
The image appears in Matthew’s Gospel. Older English translations use strait, meaning narrow or tight, rather than straight, meaning without bends.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus contrasts an easy road leading to destruction with a difficult road leading to life, urging his listeners to choose the latter.
In The Bible by Various authors
A path through temptation
In The Pilgrim’s Progress, the journey toward salvation becomes a physical walk. Leaving the proper path exposes the travellers to danger.
Christian and Hopeful enter By-path Meadow because it seems easier than the rough road. Their detour leads to capture by Giant Despair and imprisonment in Doubting Castle.
In The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
Honest conduct today
Today, the phrase usually describes keeping out of trouble or choosing honesty. It need not suggest religious belief.
In Les Misérables, Jean Valjean learns that another man may be convicted in his place. He reveals his identity in court, choosing honesty despite the danger to his own freedom.
In Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
How to use The straight and narrow
- Use it for honest conduct or staying out of trouble.
- Add context to show which temptation or habit is involved.
- Keep the tone gentle when describing another person’s choices.
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Is it straight and narrow or strait and narrow?
The usual modern phrase is straight and narrow. Its biblical background includes strait, an older word meaning narrow or tight. In The Bible, the image concerns a demanding route toward life, rather than simply a road without bends.
Does the phrase always have a religious meaning?
No, the phrase often has an everyday, nonreligious meaning. Someone who stays on the straight and narrow may simply avoid crime, resist a harmful habit, or behave honestly. Its biblical background remains, but speakers do not have to be discussing faith.
Related terms
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