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(as) straight as an arrow
1. Literally, totally straight. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Don't worry, the road is straight as an arrow for the rest of the journey, so I don't think you'll get carsick anymore. We need to make sure this beam is as straight as an arrow before we put it into place. Adam stood straight as an arrow while getting measured at the doctor's office and was disappointed to find that he had only grown an inch.
2. Very truthful, reliable, and morally upright. Kate would never cheat on an exam—she's as straight as an arrow. I know Bob's story sounds ridiculous, but I believe him because he's straight as an arrow. I've always known Amanda to be straight as an arrow, so I can't believe she got caught shoplifting.
(as) swift as an arrow
Incredibly swiftly or speedily. The karate expert had the would-be mugger unconscious on the ground as swift as an arrow. Swift as an arrow, Mary finished her exam and raced out of the classroom. The shoppers ran through the mall as swift as arrows in search of great deals.
arrow in the quiver
One of several options or alternatives available. With all this varied job experience under my belt, I have more than one arrow in the quiver if this particular career path isn't to my liking. I've got a job interview next week, but I'm still handing out my résumé so that I'll have another arrow in the quiver. Luckily, I had studied graphic design in college, and that gave me another arrow in the quiver when my hours were cut back at the office.
arrow of time
A phrase used to describe the one-way direction of time as it moves from past to future. It is typically associated with scientific study. The arrow of time may seem like an obvious concept, but it has no real analogue in the physical world. How is entropy impacted by the arrow of time? Can we change the direction of the arrow of time?
have more arrows in the/(one's) quiver
To have several available options or alternatives at one's disposal. This is just the first step in trying to bring her fever down. Don't worry, I have more arrows in the quiver if the ibuprofen doesn't help. I've got a job interview next week, but I'm still sending out my résumé so that I'll have more arrows in my quiver if need be.
have more arrows left in the quiver
To have several available options or alternatives remaining at one's disposal, particularly if an earlier action did not yield the desired results. This is just the first step in trying to bring her fever down. Don't worry, I have more arrows left in the quiver if the ibuprofen doesn't help. I've got a job interview next week, but I'm still sending out my résumé so that I'll have more arrows left in the quiver if need be.
hit two targets with one arrow
To complete, achieve, or take care of two tasks at the same time or with a singular series of actions; to solve two problems with one action or solution. I might as well hit two targets with one arrow and drop off my tax forms while I'm at the mall for the computer part I need. Bike-to-work schemes are a great way of hitting two targets with one arrow—getting more exercise while cutting down on the cost of your daily commute.
more arrows in the/(one's) quiver
Several available options or alternatives at one's disposal. This is just the first step in trying to bring her fever down. Don't worry, I have more arrows in the quiver if the ibuprofen doesn't help. I've got a job interview next week, but I like to keep more arrows in my quiver, so I'm sending out my résumé to a few more places, just in case. You don't want to limit your choices. If you ask me, the more arrows in your quiver, the better.
slings and arrows
1. Harsh criticisms, judgments, or personal attacks. Her unpopular opinions have brought slings and arrows on her from people all over the country. Now that you're the boss, get ready to face the slings and arrows of unhappy customers and employees alike.
2. Unpleasant or difficult hardships. We've had our share of slings and arrows, but we've managed to build ourselves up into a stable business.
straight arrow
An honest, ethical person who makes good decisions. Kristen was often mocked by her peers for being a straight arrow who always followed the rules and stayed out of trouble.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
*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.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
a straight arrow
mainly AMERICANIf you describe someone as a straight arrow, you mean that they are very conventional, honest, and moral. I was very much a product of my environment. I was very traditional, a real straight arrow in lots of ways. Several friends describe Mr. Menendez as `a straight arrow' who rarely drank and was close to his family. Note: You can use straight-arrow before a noun. It was impossible to imagine such a well-scrubbed, straight-arrow group of young people rioting over anything.
slings and arrows
mainly BRITISH, LITERARYSlings and arrows are bad things that happen to you and that are not your fault. She seemed generally unable to cope with the slings and arrows of life. He endured the usual slings and arrows of a life lived in the media spotlight. Note: This expression comes from the line the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, in Shakespeare's play `Hamlet'. People sometimes use this line in full. Ah well, we all have to bear the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. Note: This is a quotation from a speech in Shakespeare's play `Hamlet', where Hamlet is considering whether or not to kill himself: `To be, or not to be - that is the question; Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them?' (Act 3, Scene 1)
straight as an arrow
1. If someone is as straight as an arrow, they are completely honest. Hardworking, straight as an arrow, he had been proud of never taking a bribe.
2. If something is as straight as an arrow, it is completely straight. We drove up a mile-long avenue, straight as an arrow and lined with beech trees.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
an arrow in the quiver
one of a number of resources or strategies that can be drawn on or followed.arrow of time (or time's arrow)
the direction of travel from past to future in time considered as a physical dimension.a straight arrow
an honest or genuine person. North Americanslings and arrows
adverse factors or circumstances.This expression is taken from the ‘to be or not to be’ speech in Hamlet: ‘Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them’.
2001 Ian J. Deary Intelligence The genetic lottery and the environmental slings and arrows influence the level of some of our mental capabilities.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
the ˌslings and ˈarrows (of something)
the problems and difficulties (of something): As a politician you have to deal with the slings and arrows of criticism from the newspapers.This comes from Shakespeare’s play Hamlet: ‘the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune’.(as) straight as an ˈarrow
in a straight line or direction: You can’t get lost if you follow this track. It runs as straight as an arrow through the middle of the forest.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
slings and arrows
Difficulties or hardships.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
straight as an arrow
Without twists, bends, or turns; upright; direct. This simile, which likens the arrow’s path to a straight line, dates from medieval times and appears in English sources from then on. Chaucer (The Miller’s Tale) had another version: “Long as a mast, and upright as a bolt,” a bolt being the short, heavy arrow used with a crossbow. George Eliot, commenting on a person’s youthful appearance, wrote (Felix Holt, 1868), “You are as straight as an arrow still.”
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
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.
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price Copyright © 2011 by Steven D. Price