Also found in: Legal.
set (one) straight
To correct one's attitude, belief, or behavior; to make sure one understands something correctly. I had to set Stephen straight after I realized that he'd been operating the machinery wrong this whole time. Helen told me she thought the moon landing was faked, so I had to set her straight!
set (something) straight
To straighten something out or make something properly arranged; to fix, correct, or make amends for something. We still need to set a few details straight in this contract before I'm ready to sign it. I've got to set my marriage straight before I can think of doing anything else.
set someone straight
to make certain that someone understands something exactly. (Often said in anger or domination.) Please set me straight on this matter. Do you or do you not accept the responsibility for the accident? I set her straight about who she had to ask for permission to leave early.
set something straightand put something straight
to figure out and correct something; to straighten out a mess. I am sorry for the error. I am sure we can set it straight. We'll put this matter straight in a short time.
Correct someone by providing accurate information; also, make an arrangement honest or fair. For example, Let me set you straight about Lisa; she's never actually worked for us, or To set matters straight I'll pay you back Monday. It is sometimes put as set the record straight, meaning "correct an inaccurate account," as in Just to set the record straight, we arrived at ten. [First half of 1900s]
put/set somebody ˈstraight (about/on something)make sure that somebody is not mistaken about the real facts in a situation: He thought I was a doctor of medicine, so I put him straight and told him I was a doctor of philosophy. OPPOSITE: lead somebody to believe (that...)
set (someone) straight
To inform (someone) of the truth of a situation.