by the rules

1 of 2

phrase (1)

: in the way that is most common, expected, and acceptable

After years of boredom, she grew tired of living by the rules.

He has played by the rules throughout his career.

by the rules

2 of 2

phrase (2)

: 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

Phrase

This is the extraordinary rise of one company that refused to play by the rules and set out on a path of ambition, risk and consequence. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026

There's no need to play by the rules of a perfectly coordinated table setting. — Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2026

My job is to be an actor and play by the rules of what the script tells us to do each and every week. — Bobby Burack , Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Punishing undersea saboteurs is further complicated by the rules of jurisdiction. — Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Phrase (1)

1909, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for by the rules

• ampoules
• cesspools
• chondrules
• ferrules
• lobules
• macules
• preschools
• spherules
• toadstools
• whirlpools
• biomolecules
• macromolecules