letter of the law

Idioms  

1. The precise wording rather than the spirit or intent. For example, Since it was the first time he'd broken the rules, the school decided to ignore the letter of the law and just give him a warning. [Late 1500s]

---

Example Sentences

Skeptics say the new rules illustrate the security risks inherent in approving the exports and that following them to the letter of the law might mean no shipments get approved.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

He wants to punish those who speak out against him, who present cases against him and who, in doing their jobs to the letter of the law, go against his wishes.

From Salon • Dec. 14, 2025

And let the letter of the law take its course.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 21, 2025

“We can literally be following our side of action to the letter of the law, and you can basically violate our constitutional rights, and there’s no accountability for that.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2025

He was a man of high professional standards, a careful and deliberate, exacting judge who held himself to the letter of the law, however soporifically.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson