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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Bend the rules

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

To depart slightly from the rules in a way someone considers minor or acceptable.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. The organiser bent the rules and accepted one application a few minutes late.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

To depart slightly from the rules in a way someone considers minor or acceptable.
Show the answer

Bend the rules — To depart slightly from the rules in a way someone considers minor or acceptable.

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Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Bend the rules” about your own life.

Check your sentence

Does your sentence match this meaning?

To depart slightly from the rules in a way someone considers minor or acceptable.

Compare: The organiser bent the rules and accepted one application a few minutes late.

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More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use it when describing an exception or flexible application of a rule. It is conversational and may suggest favouritism or unfairness.

More examples in context

  • I do not want you to bend the rules just because we are friends.
  • They asked whether the club could bend the rules for an unusual situation.

Usage note

Bending the rules still means departing from them. The phrase does not by itself show that the exception is fair, harmless or authorised.

A short conversation

A: Could you accept my entry even though the deadline has passed?
B: I would have to bend the rules, and that would be unfair to the other applicants.
A: I understand. I will enter the next round.

One more practice question

Which action bends a rule?

A. Making a minor exception to a stated requirement.
B. Following every requirement exactly without an exception.

Check your answer

A. An exception departs from the rule rather than applying it strictly.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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