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
Elio is too straightforward for that, too pat and by the book.
—
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2025
These claims were in many ways strengthened by the book published by journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, titled Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 9 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for by the book
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Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2025
These claims were in many ways strengthened by the book published by journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, titled Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 9 June 2025
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
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 22 Jul. 2025.
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