straight shooter
STRAYT SHOO-ter
streɪt ˈʃuːtərListen
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Dictionary meaning
a person who speaks honestly and directly, without evasion, flattery, or hidden agenda, saying what they mean and meaning what they say; the metaphor draws on marksmanship, where a straight shooter hits the target cleanly without deflection, and applies this to communication, praising the person who delivers truth plainly rather than circling around it with qualifications, diplomatic softening, or strategic ambiguity; a straight shooter is valued in cultures that prize directness and plain speaking, and the phrase implicitly criticises the political, diplomatic, and corporate communication styles that use language to obscure rather than reveal; being called a straight shooter is typically high praise in Anglo-American business culture, where authentic, honest communication is associated with reliability and integrity
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