This was not the time to take risks; he knew he should play it by the rule book.
Dobbs, Michael WALL GAMES
In the earlier days, the use of rescue ships was the rule, not the exception.
Maclean, Alistair SAN ANDREAS
In all his other encounters, Jeremy had been the prime mover, but Christine clearly hadn't been reading the rule book.
Pacter, Trudi YELLOW BIRD
All related terms of 'the rule'
rule the roost
If you say that someone rules the roost in a particular place, you mean that they have control and authority over the people there.
the rule of law
the principle that no one is above the law and that everyone must follow the law
the exception proves the rule
the exception tests the rule
the exception that proves the rule
If you are making a general statement and you say that something is the exception that proves the rule , you mean that although it seems to contradict your statement, in most other cases your statement will be true .
to do sth by the rule book
to do something in the normal , accepted way
to throw the rule book at sb
to inflict the most severe punishment on someone
something is the exception that proves the rule
said to mean that, although something you have said does not support an earlier statement , in most cases , the earlier statement is true