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according to the rules
/əˈkɔːdɪŋ tuː ðə ruːlz/
in compliance with established guidelines
The game was played according to the rules.
The game followed the official guidelines without any violations.
formal
in a manner that follows established guidelines or regulations
The competition must be conducted according to the rules.
The event should follow the official regulations strictly.
She completed the task according to the rules.
She followed the guidelines precisely while doing the task.
This phrase is often used in formal or official contexts to emphasize compliance with regulations.
Collocations
strictly according to the rulesfollowing regulations very preciselyplay according to the rulescompete or behave fairly within guidelines
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Formal vs. Informal Use
Use 'according to the rules' in formal contexts like legal or official settings. In casual speech, you might say 'following the rules'.
Gold Rule
Precision in Formal Writing
In formal writing, this phrase emphasizes strict adherence to guidelines, so use it when compliance is critical.
Word Origin
Derived from the combination of the preposition 'according' and the noun phrase 'the rules', emphasizing adherence to established standards.
Usage Notes
This phrase is commonly used in formal contexts such as sports, legal proceedings, and organizational policies to indicate strict adherence to regulations.
Word Breakdown
according
in a manner that corresponds to
prepositionto the rules
the established guidelines or regulations
noun phraseEnglish Dictionary