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
White claims that the county has followed state law and done things by the book.
—
Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2025
Altman will sign copies and will be joined by the book’s illustrator, Reesa Baxter.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
The franchise was inspired by the book series from author Cressida Cowell.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
In the beginning of the series, Ava came off as incompetent and uncaring, constantly causing problems for the Abbott Elementary teachers who liked to do things by the book.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for by the book
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Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2025
Altman will sign copies and will be joined by the book’s illustrator, Reesa Baxter.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
The franchise was inspired by the book series from author Cressida Cowell.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
In the beginning of the series, Ava came off as incompetent and uncaring, constantly causing problems for the Abbott Elementary teachers who liked to do things by the book.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 27 Mar. 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 6 May. 2025.
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