на правильную дорогу

• НА ПРАВИЛЬНОМ ПУТИ (НА ПРАВИЛЬНОЙ ДОРОГЕ) быть, стоять; НА ПРАВИЛЬНЫЙ ПУТЬ <НА ПРАВИЛЬНУЮ ДОРОГУ> стать, выйти; ПО ПРАВИЛЬНОМУ ПУТИ <ПО ПРАВИЛЬНОЙ ДОРОГЕ> идти

[PrepP; these forms only; subj-compl with copula (subj: human) or adv; fixed WO]

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⇒ (in refer, to the course one is following in one's research, investigation, life etc; when in refer, to the course of one's life, implies moral virtue, upstandingness etc) one is going or has started to go on the correct, proper etc course:

- X на правильном пути{{}}≈ X is on the right track (on a good path);

- X has taken the correct path (course);

- X is doing the right thing;

- [when contrasting s.o's present behavior with his former behavior] X has mended his ways.

     ♦ [Бусыгин:] Папа, о чем ты грустишь? Людям нужна музыка, когда они веселятся и тоскуют. Где еще быть музыканту, если не на танцах и похоронах? По-моему, ты на правильном пути (Вампилов 4). [В.:] What are you looking so sad about, Dad? People need music when they're happy and when they're sad Where's a musician's place, if not at dances and funerals? I reckon you're doing the right thing (4a).