rule of engagement

American  

noun

plural

rules of engagement

1. a directive issued by a military authority controlling the use and degree of force, especially specifying circumstances and limitations for engaging in combat.

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Example Sentences

But the panel concluded that since the deployment of the army was not justified, the question of whether troops adhered to any rule of engagement was immaterial.

From New York Times

"First rule of engagement club ........." she responded to a curious fan who probed her about the sparkler.

From Fox News

My dad stopped pacing and looked at me like I had just broken the first rule of engagement.

From Literature

For the agencies that oversee the army of spies that remained behind after the Cold War, it would throw into question every understood rule of engagement.

From New York Times

“Even in Iraq, there was some rule of engagement. If these guys don’t have weapons, it just doesn’t make sense to me that it’s a shooting gallery.”

From New York Times