Straight arrow
noun, slang
noun, slang ·Moderate ·College level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Someone who behaves according to conventional standards; one noted for honesty and integrity. US, informal
"He was put down at first as a "straight arrow" — a do-gooder — and the description was sometimes accompanied by the cry, "ugh." as in old Westerns when the settler is shot by the wily redskin."
- 2 a frank and honest person wordnet
- 3 Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see straight, arrow.
"The goal can not be attained by a straight arrow flight."
Example
More examples"He was put down at first as a "straight arrow" — a do-gooder — and the description was sometimes accompanied by the cry, "ugh." as in old Westerns when the settler is shot by the wily redskin."
Etymology
From archery, in which an arrow that has a straight shaft flies where you shoot it, while a crooked arrow will veer off.