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

After California rested its case, on the first day of trial, Sherman returned to the stand on the second day, this time as the Justice Department’s only witness, largely to clean up his prior testimony and to try to persuade Judge Breyer that Task Force 51 was doing everything by the book. —Cristian Farias, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2025

But Turner insisted on handling it by the book, needing absolute certainty before making an arrest. —Allison Degrushe Published, EW.com, 22 July 2025

Thus, the real winners are middle-income workers in full-time, tip-heavy jobs who report all their tips by the book. —Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025

The documentary is inspired by the book The Serial Killer’s Apprentice which is co-authored by Dr. Katherine Ramsland and Tracy Ullman. —Nicole Acosta, People.com, 17 July 2025

Rhymes for by the book

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