rule
A statement that says what you must or must not do.
An official instruction or principle that states what is allowed or required and controls how people behave.
To control a place or people as a leader.
To have official power over a country, region, or group of people.
A fact or idea that is usually true in most situations.
A general principle that describes how something works or usually happens.
To make an official decision about something important, often in court.
To officially decide something, especially in a court of law or other formal setting.
A flat tool with numbers used to measure length or draw straight lines.
A straight-edged tool with length markings used for measuring and drawing lines, also called a ruler.
- Base: rule
- Plural: rule, rules
- Base: rule
- 3rd Person Singular: rules
- Present Participle: ruling
- Past: ruled
as a rule
1Generally true in most cases
Usually; in most situations.
- As a rule, we don’t eat after 9 p.m.
- As a rule, children love playing outside.
lay down the law/rules
1State rules firmly to others
To tell people clearly and strongly what they must do.
- The teacher laid down the rules on the first day of class.
- He laid down the law about no smoking inside.
rule out
1Exclude something as an option
To decide that something is not possible or will not happen.
- The police have ruled out robbery as a motive.
- We can’t rule out the possibility of rain.
rule the roost
1Be in charge of everything
To be the person who makes all the decisions in a group or place.
- She really rules the roost at home.
- In this office, it's clear who rules the roost.
rule of thumb
1general practical guideline
A simple general rule that people use in normal life, not a strict or exact rule.
- As a rule of thumb, you should save at least ten percent of your income.
- A good rule of thumb is to add one extra minute of cooking time for every hundred watts less power.
rule of thumb
2Practical general guideline
A simple way to judge or decide something based on experience, not exact facts.
- As a rule of thumb, add two minutes for each extra kilometer.
- A good rule of thumb is to save 10% of your income.