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
How Germany should respond For years, Richtberg says, the VDMA has been urging Germany and the EU to get China to play by the rules, follow regulations, and end subsidies that make global competition unfair.
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Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
The Europeans won by the rules, no doubt about it.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
But Cam plays by the rules, which effectively makes him — in a wink to another Wayans movie — the last boy scout.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 18 Sep. 2025
Nicole Michler spent years playing by the rules of corporate success—rising to senior leadership in tech sales, earning a six-figure salary, and leading major accounts for global financial clients.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for by the rules
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Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
The Europeans won by the rules, no doubt about it.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
But Cam plays by the rules, which effectively makes him — in a wink to another Wayans movie — the last boy scout.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 18 Sep. 2025
Nicole Michler spent years playing by the rules of corporate success—rising to senior leadership in tech sales, earning a six-figure salary, and leading major accounts for global financial clients.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 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 8 Oct. 2025.
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