by the rules
idiom
: in the way that is most common, expected, and acceptable
After years of boredom, he grew tired of living by the rules.
She has always played by the rules throughout her career.
Examples of by the rules in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Living in a community with an association requires abiding by the rules, obligations and restrictions found in its governing declaration, which is akin to a contract that is agreed upon by all prospective buyers prior to their becoming owners and members.
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Christyne D. Santisteban, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2025
Others say the new American users need to learn to play by the rules of the Chinese-language app and should respect the culture of its existing users, including by using the app’s Chinese name of Xiaohongshu.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 18 Jan. 2025
One by the rules of it, and then two, just about what the following week looks like.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2025
That was by design, although perhaps not by the rules initially.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
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Christyne D. Santisteban, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2025
Others say the new American users need to learn to play by the rules of the Chinese-language app and should respect the culture of its existing users, including by using the app’s Chinese name of Xiaohongshu.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 18 Jan. 2025
One by the rules of it, and then two, just about what the following week looks like.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2025
That was by design, although perhaps not by the rules initially.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for by the rules
Dictionary Entries Near by the rules
Cite this Entry
“By the rules.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20the%20rules. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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