by the book

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

Idioms and Phrases

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.

Example Sentences

And this came just days after the news that Michael Burry, the hedge-fund manager who made a fortune predicting the global financial crisis and who was made famous by the book and movie “The Big Short,” had deregistered his hedge fund.

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"If you look at the actions of Franco Mostert and Lood de Jager the previous week, he has done everything by the book," added backs coach Stick, 41.

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They try to do everything by the book, but because rugby is a physical game, sometimes you don't get it perfect.

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While the state said the contract was done by the book, a former Noem administration official told ProPublica that Noem quietly intervened to ensure the Strategy Group got the deal.

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In its statement, DHS said the agency does its contracting “by the book” and the process is run by career officials.

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Related Words

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