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.
Examples of by the rules in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Chelsea have found other ways to comply, so how much they were forced to sell the likes of Gallagher by the rules rather than their own previous choices in the transfer market is open to debate.
—
Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 June 2025
Each small local government may not have enough work or revenue to justify such a staff member, but many together have the workload and funding to hire someone specially trained to abide by the rules of funding from states and the federal government.
—Jay Rickabaugh, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2025
Fair housing means fair rules, in which tenants who work hard, play by the rules and pay on time don’t bear the financial burden of those who fail to do so.
—Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
Longtime 'Survivor' host Jeff Probst and other producers opened up to PEOPLE about all the rules contestants must abide by on the high-stakes reality show
1 Comments
Survivor is about to crown another winner, but the $1 million prize can only be earned by those who are willing to play by the rules.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for by the rules
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Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 June 2025
Each small local government may not have enough work or revenue to justify such a staff member, but many together have the workload and funding to hire someone specially trained to abide by the rules of funding from states and the federal government.
—Jay Rickabaugh, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2025
Fair housing means fair rules, in which tenants who work hard, play by the rules and pay on time don’t bear the financial burden of those who fail to do so.
—Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
Longtime 'Survivor' host Jeff Probst and other producers opened up to PEOPLE about all the rules contestants must abide by on the high-stakes reality show
1 Comments
Survivor is about to crown another winner, but the $1 million prize can only be earned by those who are willing to play by the rules.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for by the rules
Cite this Entry
“By the rules.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20the%20rules. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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