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Showing results for by the book. Search instead for buy+the+book.
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.

There is a second, diffuse—seemingly unintentional—sadness revealed by the book that is something closer to cultural or civilizational loss.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

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

From Barron's • Nov. 3, 2025

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

From Salon • Sep. 6, 2025

And I know that even if something like that were to take place, we’re going to do everything by the book, and we’re going to maximize that to the best of our ability.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2025

Still, you had to go by the book, in case of a tribunal later on.

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer

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.