by the book

Cultural  

1. According to established rules: “The inspector will be visiting the factory today, so let's make sure we do everything by the book.”

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by the book Idioms  

1. Strictly according to the rules, as in Our trip leader is going by the book, allowing us to wander off only for short periods. Shakespeare already used the term figuratively in Romeo and Juliet (1:5): “You kiss by the book.” Also see by the numbers.

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Example Sentences

You’re doing pretty much everything by the book.

From MarketWatch • May 14, 2026

But if you do this, you must do it right—professionally, with restraint, by the book, in the full spirit of the law.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

Tonga coach Kristian Woolf defended the team doctors, saying everything was "done by the book".

From Barron's • Nov. 3, 2025

And I know that even if something like that were to take place, we’re going to do everything by the book, and we’re going to maximize that to the best of our ability.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2025

De Magnete had a direct influence on Galileo, who was inspired by the book to carry out his own investigations of magnetism, and who described Gilbert as the founder of the experimental method of science.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin

Related Words

• binding
• demanding
• draconian
• exacting
• forceful
• harsh
• inflexible
• ironclad
• rigorous
• severe
• stiff
• strict
• tough