A person known for honest, conventional, and dependable conduct.
Reach for it when using informal praise for integrity when rule-following is relevant but not blind
Colleagues trusted the straight-arrow to report the accounting error immediately.
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playful
goody-goody
Fits when excessive virtue is being mocked rather than praised
Careful Goody-goody is dismissive and should not replace sincere respect.
everyday
reliable person
Fits when dependability is the useful fact
Careful Reliability alone does not establish honesty.
professional
honest broker
Fits when impartial trusted dealing between parties is the role
Careful An honest broker mediates interests rather than simply following rules.
professional
principled person
Fits when choices follow clear ethical commitments
Careful A principled dissenter may break conventional rules that a straight-arrow obeys.
formal
upright person
Fits when moral integrity deserves direct praise
Careful Upright is more elevated and need not imply conventional behavior.
literary
square dealer
Fits when fair dealing in an older idiom is intended
Careful The phrase is dated and narrower than general character.
known as a straight-arrow
She was known as a straight-arrow who documented every exception.
real straight-arrow
The real straight-arrow refused both the bribe and the flattering favor.
straight-arrow reputation
His straight-arrow reputation made the undisclosed conflict especially surprising.
Keep in mind
Straight-arrow is informal and can imply rigid conventionality. Honest or principled is better when constructive rule-breaking matters.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated
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