shoot someone straight
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To treat or deal honestly with; be truthful and upfront with.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
I left that meeting thinking well, you know, he shot me straight. He told me more or less where my future lies in academia, which is being average, and that is a perfectly noble pursuit.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “shoot someone straight” mean?
To treat or deal honestly with; be truthful and upfront with.
Is “shoot someone straight” formal or informal?
shoot someone straight is generally slang.