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.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

If members do not abide by the rules, the guild can impose discipline for violations, including but not limited to, expulsion or suspension from membership, imposition of monetary fines or censure. —Kimberly Nordyke, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 May 2023

And hey, just spitballing here, but maybe the next big pile of money should actually go to, say, the millions of college students who played by the rules and are now shackled with a lodestone of debt rather than going to the same old band of rich narcissists who put us in this hole. —Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 1 Apr. 2023

And like all great detectives, Lester was not one to play by the rules — as evidenced by his helping Jimmy McNulty (Dominic West) concoct a fake serial killer to get more funding for other legitimate police cases. —Ew Staff, EW.com, 17 Mar. 2023

Yang addressed the room of attendees, asking them to abide by the rules of keeping their speeches to 45 seconds in total. —Clayton Davis, Variety, 13 Feb. 2023

The Custodia decision sends a signal that the Federal Reserve is not giving companies any points for playing by the rules. —Byleo Schwartz, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2023

From Washington’s perspective, such moves are overdue to counter a growing rival that doesn’t play by the rules. —Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Jan. 2023

Some cashiers still don’t know or care to abide by the rules that require them to sell the pills without asking for ID. —Mattie Kahn, Washington Post, 30 Nov. 2022

Farmers say they are being unfairly targeted by the rules while other industries, such as aviation, construction and transportation, are also contributing to emissions and face fewer rules. —Fox News, 10 July 2022

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