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

See Examples For:

by the book

There’s been plenty of skepticism about whether the latter two were Chapman copycats rather than murders actually inspired by the book.

From Salon ● Jul. 25, 2026

You’re doing pretty much everything by the book.

From MarketWatch ● May 14, 2026

It was also more cash than he’d ever considered possible in his former life of doing things by the book.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2025

The source added that the raid has shaken a company that has always tried to operate by the book and that, despite its exponential growth in recent years, has sought to maintain a close-knit feel.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 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