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
Like many young men, Lyon, who was 15 when On the Road came out, was inspired by the book.
—
Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 June 2024
The Moon in Sagittarius makes a fuss over Mars in Taurus, tugging us back and forth between trying something unfamiliar and exotic versus doing things by the book.
—Tarot.com, Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2024
The script and lyrics are by the book’s author Judith Viorst, with music by Shelly Markham.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 13 Apr. 2024
The prosecutor countered that those objections are invalid, and that the indictment proceeded by the book.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for by the book 
Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 June 2024
The Moon in Sagittarius makes a fuss over Mars in Taurus, tugging us back and forth between trying something unfamiliar and exotic versus doing things by the book.
—Tarot.com, Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2024
The script and lyrics are by the book’s author Judith Viorst, with music by Shelly Markham.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 13 Apr. 2024
The prosecutor countered that those objections are invalid, and that the indictment proceeded by the book.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for by the book
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'by the book.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to by the book
Dictionary Entries Near 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 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share