by the book

phrase

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

Examples of by the book in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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But those looking to do things by the book can’t plug and play quite yet. — Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 There is also a tea party room serving a variety of sweet treats inspired by the book, including cakes representing a white rabbit, a red rose and a mushroom. — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026 Having called out Paramount previously for alleged leaks that scuttled the last set of behind the scenes talks, Rob Bonta’s office today were 100% by the book. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2026 The most effective promotion came from consistently sharing valuable ideas, insights and practical takeaways inspired by the book rather than promoting the book itself. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for by the book

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Cite this Entry

“By the book.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20the%20book. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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