obey the rules

/əˈbeɪ ðə ruːlz/
phraseBeginner
formal

to follow or comply with established regulations or guidelines

All drivers must obey the rules of the road.

All drivers must follow the rules of the road.

Employees are expected to obey the company rules.

Employees are expected to follow the company rules.

💡

This phrase is commonly used in formal or official contexts to emphasize the importance of compliance.

Collocations

obey the lawto follow legal regulationsobey the instructionsto follow given directions

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

break the rulesphrase
to violate or disregard regulations
follow the rulesphrase
to comply with regulations

💡Pro Tip

Formal vs. Informal Usage

While 'obey the rules' is formal, 'follow the rules' is more commonly used in everyday conversation.

Gold Rule

Compliance

In many contexts, obeying the rules is necessary to maintain order and safety.

📖Word Origin

The verb 'obey' comes from Old French 'obeir', meaning 'to obey', and the noun 'rules' comes from Latin 'regula', meaning 'rule' or 'regulation'.

📝Usage Notes

This phrase is often used in formal or official contexts, such as in schools, workplaces, or legal settings, to emphasize the importance of following established guidelines.

Word Breakdown

obey
to follow or comply with
verb
+
the rules
established regulations or guidelines
noun phrase
English Dictionary