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Showing results for by the book. Search instead for By the rood.
Synonyms

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.”

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.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

While the process of finding a permanent replacement for Justin Welby has taken time, it has all been done by the book, and the choice has been welcomed by many, though not all.

From BBC • Dec. 24, 2025

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

From Barron's • Nov. 3, 2025

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

“EVERY ‘I’ was dotted and ‘t’ was crossed 1000% by the book without exception.”

From Salon • Sep. 6, 2025

By fall, though, Barack’s stock had begun to rise in part thanks to the publication of The Audacity of Hope and a slew of media opportunities afforded by the book tour.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.