by the book

idiom

: by following the official rules very strictly
My boss insists on doing everything by the book.

Examples of by the book in a Sentence

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The show, which highlights themes of wealth, social class, love and family abides by the book’s formula of alternating between flashbacks and the present time, while leading to a twist that, to this day, continues to stun readers. Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 2025 Seduced by the book, Suzanne had asked Berl to introduce her to its author. Mark Polizzoti june 16, Literary Hub, 16 June 2025 The operation wasn’t by the book — and those in law enforcement know it. U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025 Fewer people are ordering martinis exactly by the book. Rachel King, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for by the book

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“By the book.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20the%20book. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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