walk a straight line
The phrase "walk a straight line" can describe both literal movement and adherence to rules or sobriety.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B1General
(literal, physical)To move forward in a direct path without deviating.
Example
- He tried to walk a straight line along the edge of the sidewalk.
B2Law Enforcement
(specific, sobriety test)To demonstrate coordination and sobriety by moving without wavering.
Example
- The officer asked him to walk a straight line to check for signs of intoxication.
B2Behavior
(figurative, moral)To behave in a proper and lawful manner, following rules and expectations.
Example
- She has always walked a straight line, never getting into trouble.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "walk a straight line":
walk in straight lineswalk the linetoe the linestraight as an arrowstraighten upstraight arrowstraight lacefall in linenot see straightplay it straightstraighten outstraight batput one foot in front of the othersuper straightcross the lineplain linestand still