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
Because whether on the diamond or in the nation’s courtrooms, when everyone plays by the rules, the game remains fair for all.
—
Will Rogers, Baltimore Sun, 22 July 2025
Since the Biden administration continued its policy of blocking appointments to fill its vacancies, there is now no quorum to adjudicate trade disputes, leaving countries little incentive to abide by the rules anymore.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 12 July 2025
The game ended in a Wyoming forfeit after Colorado State’s official, a CSU professor named Edward House, ruled that Wyoming official E.D. McArthur and the Cowboys refused to abide by the rules of the game.
—David Ubben, New York Times, 11 July 2025
The exhibition begins in the early 1900s, when Duchamp was sketching, painting and largely abiding by the rules of the art world, as in a portrait of his younger sister, Yvonne.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
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Will Rogers, Baltimore Sun, 22 July 2025
Since the Biden administration continued its policy of blocking appointments to fill its vacancies, there is now no quorum to adjudicate trade disputes, leaving countries little incentive to abide by the rules anymore.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 12 July 2025
The game ended in a Wyoming forfeit after Colorado State’s official, a CSU professor named Edward House, ruled that Wyoming official E.D. McArthur and the Cowboys refused to abide by the rules of the game.
—David Ubben, New York Times, 11 July 2025
The exhibition begins in the early 1900s, when Duchamp was sketching, painting and largely abiding by the rules of the art world, as in a portrait of his younger sister, Yvonne.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 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 30 Jul. 2025.
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