straighten up
A2 informal separable both
In simple words
To sit or stand up straight, to make a room look tidy, or to start behaving better.
Literal meaning: To make something that is crooked or messy into an upright, neat state.
Meanings
1 A2 neutral
To make your body upright; to correct your posture.
"Straighten up when you sit at the computer — slouching is bad for your back."
2 A2 informal
To tidy a room or space by putting things in order.
"Can you straighten up your bedroom before our guests arrive?"
Grammar: separable
3 B1
idiomatic
informal
To improve one's behavior or attitude; to stop acting irresponsibly.
"You need to straighten up if you want to keep this job."
"Straighten up and fly right."
— Nat King Cole, song title, 1943
Usage notes
Very common in everyday American English. The posture and tidying senses are often used with children. 'Straighten up and fly right' is a fixed idiom meaning to behave properly.
Commonly used with
room desk posture back act behavior
Forms
Base
straighten up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
straightens up
he/she/it
Past simple
straightened up
yesterday
Past participle
straightened up
have + pp
-ing form
straightening up
continuous
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Synonyms
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