straighten up or out

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of STRAIGHTEN

to change one's behavior or character for the better <I hope that rehab will help her straighten up for good>

Synonyms amend, mend, shape up, straighten (up or out)

Related Words behave, regenerate; better, improve

Near Antonyms backslide, regress

to make neat <a directive for everyone to straighten up their cubicle in preparation for a visit from some corporate VIPs>

Synonyms pick up, redd (up or out) [chiefly dialect], spruce (up), straighten (up or out), tidy (up), trim

Related Words arrange, array, classify, codify, dispose, draw up, marshal (also marshall), order, organize, range, systematize

Near Antonyms disarrange, disarray, discompose, dishevel, disorder, disorganize, disrupt, disturb, jumble, mess (up), mix (up), muddle, muss, rumple, scramble, shuffle, tousle, tumble, upset

What made you want to look up straighten[-2,verb]? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Put-downs with flair

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears