rule of thumb

American  

noun

1. a general or approximate principle, procedure, or rule based on experience or practice, as opposed to a specific, scientific calculation or estimate.

2. a rough, practical method of procedure.

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rule of thumb British  

noun

1. 1. a rough and practical approach, based on experience, rather than a scientific or precise one based on theory

   2. ( as modifier )

      a rule-of-thumb decision

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rule of thumb Cultural  

1. A practical principle that comes from the wisdom of experience and is usually but not always valid: “When playing baseball, a good rule of thumb is to put your best hitter fourth in the batting order.”

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rule of thumb Idioms  

1. A rough and useful principle or method, based on experience rather than precisely accurate measures. For example, His work with the youth group is largely by rule of thumb. This expression alludes to making rough estimates of measurements by using one's thumb. [Second half of 1600s]

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Etymology

Origin of rule of thumb

First recorded in 1685–95

Example Sentences

“These rules of thumb can certainly give Americans a ballpark estimate for their own wealth-management goals,” said Roberts.

From MarketWatch

Is there a rule of thumb or a percentage of income at which entertainment spending starts to meaningfully impact long-term goals?

From MarketWatch

“A very simple rule of thumb for tactical liquidation is when gold and equities crash together, which usually signals margin call / liquidation-esque behavior,” they say.

From MarketWatch

The rule of thumb when buying or selling property is to wait five years to cover your closing costs, which can be considerable.

From MarketWatch

As a general rule of thumb: where eyeballs go, advertisers follow.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• criterion