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
Children must abide by the rules for keeping the elves at home.
—
Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
For Palomino, playing by the rules means competing for an even smaller labor pool.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
Most small businesses owners like me are community-minded and do our best to play by the rules.
—Wes Burdine, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
The Europeans won by the rules, no doubt about it.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for by the rules
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
For Palomino, playing by the rules means competing for an even smaller labor pool.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
Most small businesses owners like me are community-minded and do our best to play by the rules.
—Wes Burdine, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
The Europeans won by the rules, no doubt about it.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 29 Sep. 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 13 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share