as a rule

Idioms  

1. In general, usually, as in As a rule Irene does not eat meat. [Mid-1800s]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

as a rule

Nonpublic investments like private equity are, as a rule, actively managed.

From Salon ● Jul. 9, 2026

"Scheduled elections should, as a rule, go ahead as planned, and only be postponed in exceptional circumstances," said a spokeswoman.

From BBC ● Jan. 23, 2026

First of all, as a rule, Mark and I are not generally for throwing sandwiches.

From Slate ● Nov. 7, 2025

Or to honesty, as a rule, though he insists that this account of his disastrous Venetian sojourn is genuine.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2025

In the late afternoon they were roused by the watch, and took their chief meal: cold and cheerless as a rule, for they could seldom risk the lighting of a fire.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien

Related Words

• commonly
• consistently
• customarily
• frequently
• generally
• mostly
• naturally
• normally
• occasionally
• often
• ordinarily
• regularly
• routinely
• sometimes