rule

rule1 [ rul ] noun ***

1. ) count a statement explaining what someone can or cannot do in a particular system, game, or situation:

We need to change the club rules before we start looking for new members.

rule of: the basic rules of the game

break a rule (=not obey a rule): Anyone who breaks the rules will face disciplinary action.

follow/obey a rule: You should always follow these simple rules when using electrical equipment.

against the rules: You can't do that, it's against the rules!

rules and regulations: They complain that businesses are being hampered by too many rules and regulations.

2. ) uncount the person, country, political or religious group, etc. that officially controls or governs a place:

In 1999 Hong Kong went back to Chinese rule.

under someone's rule: He admitted there were killings under his rule but said reports were exaggerated.

a period of military rule

3. ) count a statement or principle that describes the way the words in a language can be used and combined:

complicated grammatical rules

4. ) count OLD-FASHIONED a RULER

as a rule

used for saying what usually happens:

As a rule, I stay in on Friday nights.

be the rule

to be what usually happens or what is considered to be normal:

Sunny skies are the rule at this time of year.

bend/stretch the rules

to allow something that is not normally allowed:

The school bent the rules and allowed the team to play on Sunday.

make it a rule to do something

to always try to do something:

I make it a rule to be in bed by 10 p.m.

rule of law

a situation in which everyone in a country is expected to obey the laws, including powerful people, military leaders, etc.

rule of thumb

a rule you use for doing or explaining things that is based on experience:

A good rule of thumb is to use only one typeface in the document.

rules are rules SPOKEN

used for telling someone that they have to obey a rule, even if they do not want to

work to rule BRITISH

to do only what the rules at work say you must do and nothing more, as a form of protest

=> GOLDEN RULE, HOME RULE

rule

rule 2 [ rul ] verb ***

▸ 1 govern country/area

▸ 2 make decision

▸ 3 influence thought/action

▸ 4 be the most important

▸ 5 draw straight line

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) intransitive or transitive to officially control or govern a country or area:

Portugal ruled East Timor for nearly four centuries.

2. ) intransitive or transitive to make and announce a decision, usually about a legal matter:

The police have ruled the death a homicide.

rule on: The court still has not ruled on the Swift case.

rule (that): A federal judge ruled that the city must make all their financial records public.

3. ) transitive to influence someone's thoughts or actions:

Money and music rule Charlie's world.

We must not allow ourselves to be ruled by sentiment in this matter.

4. ) intransitive to be more important or successful than anyone or anything else:

In the world of fashion, McQueen rules supreme.

a ) something/someone rules VERY INFORMAL used for emphasizing how much you like someone or something. This is usually written on shirts or on walls.

5. ) transitive to draw a straight line, usually with a RULER

rule someone/something with an iron fist/hand

to control someone or something in a very strict way

,rule `out phrasal verb transitive

to stop considering something as a possibility:

The president has ruled out the use of American troops.

The investigators said arson could not be ruled out.

,rule `out of phrasal verb transitive

rule someone out of something to make it impossible for a player to take part in a game or competition:

I had a serious shoulder injury that ruled me out of the game for six weeks.