shoot someone straight

English

Etymology

From shoot straight, meaning to "aim correctly, aim right". Compare also straight-shooter (“one who is honest and forthwith”).

Verb

shoot someone straight (third-person singular simple present shoots someone straight, present participle shooting someone straight, simple past and past participle shot someone straight)

1. (transitive, slang) To treat or deal honestly with; be truthful and upfront with.
   • 2014, Sebastian Gutierrez, Data Scientists at Work, page 115:

     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.

   • 2018, Claire Cramphorn, The Dating Process: Alice:

     “Well,” I sat back smugly, “the first time we met you said you were going to shoot me straight, and you didn't. I have no time for that. If you're going to lie to me as soon as you open your mouth, then I don't want to know you.