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
Fewer people are ordering martinis exactly by the book.
—
Rachel King, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
One was that league investigators would be more buttoned-up and by the book, with the benefit of attorney-client privilege as well.
—Evan Drellich, New York Times, 7 June 2025
He’s put in hard work, doing things by the book, and focusing on his family at the 21st District.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 21 May 2025
As is the nature of dealing with concussions – which can impact a player for a number of days to a number of years, depending on the severity – Baldelli said the team is taking its time and doing things by the book.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 17 May 2025
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Rachel King, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
One was that league investigators would be more buttoned-up and by the book, with the benefit of attorney-client privilege as well.
—Evan Drellich, New York Times, 7 June 2025
He’s put in hard work, doing things by the book, and focusing on his family at the 21st District.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 21 May 2025
As is the nature of dealing with concussions – which can impact a player for a number of days to a number of years, depending on the severity – Baldelli said the team is taking its time and doing things by the book.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 17 May 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 2 Jul. 2025.
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