rule of the road

American  

noun

Nautical.

1. any of the regulations concerning the safe handling of vessels under way with respect to one another, imposed by a government on ships in its own waters or upon its own ships on the high seas.

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Etymology

Origin of rule of the road

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

The rule of the road is you never attack down, you always attack up.

From New York Times • Oct. 8, 2010

The most important rule of the road, however, is never — Baker looked me in the eye — eat in the venue, even if they invite you.

From New York Times • Aug. 6, 2010

The rule of the road requires that line to be kept on the left, except when passing a vehicle in front.

From Time Magazine Archive

He speaks his mind, keeps several steps ahead of his superiors and violates just about every other rule of the road for diplomats in the U.S. foreign service.

From Time Magazine Archive

The rule of the road was that if one pair caught up with another they were to sit down and give them a ten minutes' start.

From The Camp Fire Girls in the Maine Woods Or, The Winnebagos Go Camping by Frey, Hildegard G. (Hildegard Gertrude)