straight arrow: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
IntermediateInformal
Quick answer
What does “straight arrow” mean?
An honest, morally upright person who follows rules strictly.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An honest, morally upright person who follows rules strictly.
A person who is conventional, predictable, and avoids any form of vice or unconventional behavior; sometimes used to imply dullness due to excessive conformity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common and culturally established in American English. In British English, similar concepts might be expressed with 'goody-two-shoes' (pejorative) or simply 'decent sort'.
Connotations
In AmE, it often evokes a mid-20th-century, all-American ideal of clean-cut behavior. In BrE, it can sound like an Americanism and may be used more ironically.
Frequency
Significantly more frequent in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “straight arrow” in a Sentence
be a straight arrowplay the straight arrowdescribe someone as a straight arrowVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “straight arrow” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He has a very straight-arrow reputation in the community.
American English
- She comes from a straight-arrow family in the Midwest.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe an employee who is scrupulously honest and follows all protocols, e.g., 'We need a straight arrow for the compliance role.'
Academic
Rare. Might appear in sociological or cultural studies texts discussing conformity and American values.
Everyday
Common in describing someone's character, e.g., 'Don't worry, he's a straight arrow—he'll return the money.'
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “straight arrow”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “straight arrow”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “straight arrow”
- Using it to describe a literal object (e.g., 'The ruler is a straight arrow').
- Confusing it with 'straight shooter' (which focuses more on frankness than moral uprightness).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be either, depending on context and tone. It primarily means 'honest and rule-abiding,' which is usually positive. However, said with a certain tone, it can imply the person is boring, inflexible, or judgmental.
Yes, often hyphenated as 'straight-arrow' (e.g., 'a straight-arrow cop').
Both imply excessive virtue. 'Goody-two-shoes' is almost always pejorative and childish, suggesting smugness. 'Straight arrow' is less inherently childish and can be a genuine description of adult integrity.
It originated in mid-20th century America, likely drawing on the symbolism of an arrow flying true to its target, representing a person who is direct, honest, and uncorrupted.
An honest, morally upright person who follows rules strictly.
Straight arrow is usually informal in register.
Straight arrow: in British English it is pronounced /ˌstreɪt ˈær.əʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌstreɪt ˈer.oʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “straight as an arrow (literal variant)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an arrow flying perfectly straight, without deviation—just like a person who never deviates from the moral path.
Conceptual Metaphor
MORALITY/CHARACTER IS A PATH (a straight path indicates good character).
Practice
Quiz
What is the MOST LIKELY connotation of calling someone a 'straight arrow' in a negative context?