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

Heath Ledger’s Joker is an enemy who doesn’t play by the rules, attacking the city with no clear political goal beyond creating panic and chaos. — Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Yet, working people continue to show up every day, do more with less, and play by the rules, while wealthy elites in power enjoy record tax breaks, set policies that put profits ahead of people, and attack workers’ rights. — Mario Cilento, New York Daily News, 7 Sep. 2026

But since they’re still required by the rules to play all 27 outs, the Phillies just keep hijacking these Weird and Wild columns. — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

The very nature of the oral tradition, which is decidedly African and characteristically unburdened by the rules of Western record-keeping, is the spirit of its truth, even more than its detail. — Anne Haley, Time, 11 Aug. 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