Straight meaning in English
Learn how to use Straight correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
(a) straight (line): (an) uncurved, unbent (line), (a line) which only moves in one direction
(It's) straight ahead! (It's) straight on!: (It's) on this route, in front of us, in this direction!
(She is coming) straight (from work): (She will come) directly, immediately (from her job)
Pronunciation examples
UK: You know you're drunk when you can't walk straight, talk straight, or think straight.
US: Drive straight on for two blocks, then turn left.
Examples
- "That man in a van is coming straight at me!"
- "Brian : Straight and tall."
- "Zulu Alpha Male Kebab, we picked something up on the radar, it is coming straight for you."
- "no costume tho, coming straight from work"
- "You're just saying "straight ahead"."
- "Woman : But which way straight ahead?"
- "Jean : Straight for two blocks, right!"
- "Horatio : There, straight ahead."
- "Philip : Then go straight for two blocks."
- "Bonjour le man in the van coming straight at me!"
Exercise 1
Fill in the blanks below with the proper directional term.
In many languages such as English, French, German and Spanish, we read and write text from to .
The shortest distance between two points is a line.
In many languages such as English, French, German and Spanish, we read and write text from to .
The shortest distance between two points is a line.
Fill in the blanks below with the proper directional term.
In many languages such as English, French, German and Spanish, we read and write text from left 1 to right 2.
The shortest distance between two points is a straight 3 line.
In many languages such as English, French, German and Spanish, we read and write text from left 1 to right 2.
The shortest distance between two points is a straight 3 line.
1 left: In English, Spanish, German and French we read text from left to right. When talking about directions, we can "turn left", "take a left" or "make a left".
2 right: In English, Spanish, German and French we read text from left to right. When talking about directions, we can "turn right", "take a right" or "make a right".
3 straight: The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. We use the term "straight" very often when giving directions, such as "straight ahead" or "straight across". The "gh" is silent in English, and the word is pronounced "strate".
Exercise 2
Brian has reached Stockton Street. What should he do to complete his mission?
Brian has reached Stockton Street. What should he do to complete his mission?
No, sir or madam, this is not correct. Bruno doesn't instruct Brian to make a right on Stockton Street.
This is correct. Bruno tells Brian that once he has taken a right on Franklin Avenue, he should continue "past" Stockton Street. We know therefore that Brian should continue walking "straight ahead"!
No, sir or madam, this is not correct. Bruno doesn't instruct Brian to take a left until he reaches Kearney Street!
Hmm... I'd ask someone with a map or a compass. You might check which side of the tree the moss is growing, which will somehow tell you which direction North is. Other options: Wait till dark then follow Polaris, the North Star, or head for Ursa Major, also known as the Big Dipper.
Exercise 3
"I am sending you straight back to the IT department."
Choose the sentences that use "straight" correctly. There may be more than 1!
Choose the sentences that use "straight" correctly. There may be more than 1!
"I am sending you straight back to the IT department."
Choose the sentences that use "straight" correctly. There may be more than 1!
Choose the sentences that use "straight" correctly. There may be more than 1!
This is incorrect. Don't confuse "straight" with "sharp". A "straight" knife is one which is not curved, a "sharp" knife cuts easily.
This statement uses the term (adverb) "straight" correctly. To "(go) straight (to a place)" is to go without detour or delay. Bruno says that he is sending Jean "straight back to the IT department", meaning that he wants Jean to return immediately to the IT department.
This is incorrect. The verb "to straighten" should be used instead of "to straight". "To straighten something out" is to resolve a problem. There is no such verb as "to straight".
This statement uses the term "straight" correctly. To "stand (up) straight" is to stand in a manner so that the back is fully upright, without any curves. A "straight (level)" refers to a level which is fully even, for example: That picture on the wall doesn't look straight, it is higher on the right than the left.
This statement uses the term "straight" correctly. As an adjective, "straight" can mean successive, consecutive or without interruption, for example: For 5 days straight I heard the same mysterious noise coming from the bedroom. As well as the common definitions of "straight" (having no deviations or curves), the adjective can also mean "honest" ("I'll be straight with you") or even "not homosexual" ("Both gay and straight men are invited").
Exercise 4
What is another way of saying, "Lead the way"?
What is another way of saying, "Lead the way"?
Kevin is not an alien demanding to see world leaders.
"Straight ahead" is a directional command which indicates the location of something being directly ahead or in a straight line from the speaker. It is not synonymous with "lead the way".
"Lead the way" is an idiom meaning "go on ahead and I will follow you". This is the best choice here.
"Pave the road" is not synonymous with the request "lead the way".
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