of activity / game
1 [C] a statement of what may, must or must not be done in a particular situation or when playing a game:
to follow / obey / observe the rules * It's against all rules and regulations. * to break a rule (= not follow it) * This explains the rules under which the library operates. * Without unwritten rules civilized life would be impossible. * Normal competition rules apply. * She laid down strict rules for her tenants including prompt payment of rent.
seealsoGROUNDRULE
advice
2 [C] a statement of what you are advised to do in a particular situation:
There are no hard and fast rules for planning healthy meals. * The first rule is to make eye contact with your interviewer.
seealsoGOLDENRULE
habit / normally true
3 [C,usually sing.] a habit; the normal state of things; what is true in most cases:
He makes it a rule never to borrow money. * I go to bed early as a rule. * Cold winters here are the exception rather than the rule (= are rare). * As a general rule vegetable oils are better for you than animal fats.
of system
4 [C] a statement of what is possible according to a particular system, for example the grammar of a language:
the rules of grammar
government / control
5 [U] the government of a country or control of a group of people by a particular person, group or system:
under Communist / colonial British / civilian / military rule * majority rule (= government by the political party that most people have voted for) * The 1972 act imposed direct rule from Westminster.
seealsoHOMERULE
measuring tool
6 [C] a measuring instrument with a straight edge
seealsoSLIDERULE
IDIOMS
bend / stretch the rules to change the rules to suit a particular person or situation
play by sb's (own) rules if sb plays by their own rules or makes other people play by their rules, they set the conditions for doing business or having a relationship
play by the rules to deal fairly and honestly with people
the rules of the game the standards of behaviour that most people accept or that actually operate in a particular area of life or business
the rule of law the condition in which all members of society, including its rulers, accept the authority of the law:
Democracy and the rule of law are yet to be firmly established in the country.
a rule of thumb a practical method of doing or measuring sth, usually based on past experience rather than on exact measurement:
As a rule of thumb, you should cook a chicken for 20 minutes for each pound of weight.
work to rule to follow the rules of your job in a very strict way in order to cause delay, as a form of protest against your employer or your working conditions
seealsoWORK-TO-RULE
moreatEXCEPTION
govern / control
1 ~ (over sb/sth) to control and have authority over a country, a group of people, etc:
[VN] At that time John ruled England. * The family ruled London's gangland in the sixties. * (figurative) Eighty million years ago, dinosaurs ruled the earth. * [V] Charles I ruled for eleven years. * She once ruled over a vast empire. * (figurative) After the revolution, anarchy ruled.
2 [VN] [oftenpassive] (often disapproving) to be the main thing that influences and controls sb/sth:
The pursuit of money ruled his life. * We live in a society where we are ruled by the clock.
give official decision
3 ~ (on sth) to give an official decision about sth:
[V] The court will rule on the legality of the action. * The judge ruled against / in favour of the plaintiff. * [VN-ADJ] The deal may be ruled illegal. * The defendant was ruled not guilty. * [Vthat] The court ruled that the women were unfairly dismissed. [also VNtoinf, VNthat]
draw straight line
4 to draw a straight line using sth that has a firm straight edge:
Rule a line at the end of every piece of work.
IDIOMS
rule the roost (informal) to be the most powerful member of a group:
Liverpool ruled the roost in English football for a decade.
rule (sb/sth) with a rod of iron to control a person or a group of people very severely
moreatCOURTn., DIVIDEv., HEART
PHRASALVERBS
rule off
