bend/stretch the rules
idiom
: to change or ignore rules
We cannot bend/stretch the rules just for you.
Examples of bend/stretch the rules in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ultimately, use of the straits will depend on Ankara, which could, in theory, bend the rules to facilitate a NATO naval buildup.
—
Mark Cancian, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2022
The order minimum to get the freebie is normally $1 — but the Free Fries Friday deal will bend the rules on National French Fry Day.
—Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 20 June 2024
Republican legislators—in thrall to a white, rural base that feels threatened by demographic and ideological shifts—remain powerful enough to seek to bend the rules in their favor.
—Pippa Norris, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2021
Life is messy sometimes — know when to bend the rules a little.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 11 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for bend/stretch the rules 
Mark Cancian, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2022
The order minimum to get the freebie is normally $1 — but the Free Fries Friday deal will bend the rules on National French Fry Day.
—Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 20 June 2024
Republican legislators—in thrall to a white, rural base that feels threatened by demographic and ideological shifts—remain powerful enough to seek to bend the rules in their favor.
—Pippa Norris, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2021
Life is messy sometimes — know when to bend the rules a little.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 11 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for bend/stretch the rules
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bend/stretch the rules.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near bend/stretch the rules
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“Bend/stretch the rules.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bend%2Fstretch%20the%20rules. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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