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
Recent Examples on the Web
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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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
Cite this Entry
“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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