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
Until then, can the refs level the playing field by having the Eagles play by the rules?
—
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2025
How Germany should respond For years, Richtberg says, the VDMA has been urging Germany and the EU to get China to play by the rules, follow regulations, and end subsidies that make global competition unfair.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
The Europeans won by the rules, no doubt about it.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
But Cam plays by the rules, which effectively makes him — in a wink to another Wayans movie — the last boy scout.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for by the rules
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Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2025
How Germany should respond For years, Richtberg says, the VDMA has been urging Germany and the EU to get China to play by the rules, follow regulations, and end subsidies that make global competition unfair.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
The Europeans won by the rules, no doubt about it.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
But Cam plays by the rules, which effectively makes him — in a wink to another Wayans movie — the last boy scout.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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 26 Oct. 2025.
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