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
Consumers need to be careful to play by the rules and pay off the item with its term or they could otherwise be hit with significant fees.
—
Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Outrageous is the story of six aristocratic sisters who refused to play by the rules, their often-scandalous lives making headlines around the world.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2025
Ann Dowd’s Aunt Lydia, for example, is still trying to play by the rules while simultaneously protecting her Handmaids from the horrors that she’s become more and more sensitive to over the last few seasons.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2025
Former University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas – one of the most prominent trans athletes in college sports – has been barred from international events by the rules of World Aquatics, which only qualifies transgender athletes who have not experienced biological puberty.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for by the rules
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Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Outrageous is the story of six aristocratic sisters who refused to play by the rules, their often-scandalous lives making headlines around the world.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2025
Ann Dowd’s Aunt Lydia, for example, is still trying to play by the rules while simultaneously protecting her Handmaids from the horrors that she’s become more and more sensitive to over the last few seasons.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2025
Former University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas – one of the most prominent trans athletes in college sports – has been barred from international events by the rules of World Aquatics, which only qualifies transgender athletes who have not experienced biological puberty.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 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 May. 2025.
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