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straight arrow
An honest, ethical person who makes good decisions. Primarily heard in US. Kristen was often mocked by her peers for being a straight arrow who always followed the rules and stayed out of trouble.
*straight as an arrow
1. Cliché [of something] very straight. (*Also: as ~.) The road to my house is as straight as an arrow, so it should be very easy to follow.
2. . Cliché [of someone] honest or forthright. (Straight here means honest. *Also: as ~.) Tom is straight as an arrow. I'd trust him with anything.
*swift as an arrow
and *swift as the wind; *swift as thoughtvery fast. (*Also: as ~.) The new intercity train is swift as an arrow. You won't have to wait for me long; I'll be there, swift as thought.
slings and arrows
unpleasant, negative attacks He was surprised by the slings and arrows directed at him by several economists.
Etymology: from the phrase a€?the slings and arrows of outrageous fortunea€? in Shakespeare's play a€?Hamleta€?
the slings and arrows (of outrageous fortune)
(literary) unpleasant things that happen to you that you cannot prevent
Usage notes: This phrase comes from Shakespeare's play, Hamlet. Slings and arrows are weapons used to attack people, and fortune means things that happen to you.
We all have to suffer the slings and arrows, so there's no point getting depressed when things go wrong. a straight arrow
(American) someone who is very honest and careful to behave in a socially acceptable way Friends describe Menendez as a straight arrow who rarely drank and was close to his family.
straight as an arrow
Honest, genuine, as in You can trust Pat with the money; he's straight as an arrow. This simile alludes to the arrow's undeviating flight through the air. [Second half of 1900s]
straight arrow
n. an honest person; a law-abiding citizen. (see also
straight shooter.)
Willy is really a straight arrow at heart—as long as he’s not around Max. Max is not a straight arrow. Slime is more like it. slings and arrows
Difficulties or hardships.
straight arrow
A conventional and ethical person. As morally straight as an arrow, that person is likely to be dull. As used in colleges during the mid- 20th century, a straight arrow wasn't the type who'd get drunk or use drugs. If female, her necking, petting, or going further was out of the question.