by the book

phrase

: 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 post-midterm release will spare Democratic candidates from having to revisit any questions raised by the book during their campaigns to regain control the House and Senate. — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 15 July 2026

But Labor’s Wage and Hour Division investigators found that By the Sea didn’t play by the book with the 117 Jamaican employees brought to Panama City as housekeepers. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026

Aaron Zelman and Glenn Kessler will continue as showrunners of Memory Of a Killer, inspired by the book and the 2003 Belgian film De Zaak Alzheimer. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2026

Inspired by the book and 2003 Belgian film De zaak Alzheimer, the Fox psychological thriller series trades on Dempsey’s decades of goodwill as a beloved romantic lead to turn a ruthless killer into an antihero worth rooting for. — Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 16 Mar. 2026

Rhymes for by the book

• kinderhook
• meadowbrook
• overlook
• overtook
• pocketbook
• storybook
• tillamook
• undertook
• betook
• casebook
• chapbook
• checkbook