by the book
idiom
: by following the official rules very strictly
My boss insists on doing everything by the book.
Examples of by the book in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The franchise was inspired by the book series from author Cressida Cowell.
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Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
In the beginning of the series, Ava came off as incompetent and uncaring, constantly causing problems for the Abbott Elementary teachers who liked to do things by the book.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 27 Mar. 2025
Spagnolo, who took the helm of the department in 2018, insists the police played this case by the book, even all those years ago.
—Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
It is inspired by the book of the same name by Kate Andersen Brower.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025
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Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
In the beginning of the series, Ava came off as incompetent and uncaring, constantly causing problems for the Abbott Elementary teachers who liked to do things by the book.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 27 Mar. 2025
Spagnolo, who took the helm of the department in 2018, insists the police played this case by the book, even all those years ago.
—Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
It is inspired by the book of the same name by Kate Andersen Brower.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for by the book
Cite this Entry
“By the book.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20the%20book. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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