THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
By the book
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
Strictly following the rules or the correct procedure.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- The new supervisor wants every equipment check done by the book.
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.
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
The new supervisor wants every equipment check done ________.
Show the answer
By the book — Strictly following the rules or the correct procedure.
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Make it yours
Write one sentence using “By the book” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
Strictly following the rules or the correct procedure.
Compare: The new supervisor wants every equipment check done by the book.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use this expression when discussing how a task is carried out at work, school or in an organisation. It can express approval of care or suggest that someone is very strict about procedures.
More examples in context
- We processed the application by the book, including all the required checks.
- Nadia does everything by the book when she handles the club’s accounts.
Usage note
Use by the book, not by a book. The book represents the rules; there need not be a physical handbook. Following procedures carefully is different from simply reading instructions once.
A short conversation
A: Can we skip the final check?
B: No. We need to do this by the book.
A: All right. I will complete the checklist.
One more practice question
Which action is done by the book?
A. Completing every required safety check in the stated order.
B. Skipping required checks to finish earlier.
Check your answer
A. Following every required step means following the procedure strictly. Skipping steps does not fit.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.