by the book
Speech parts
1. by the book - Adjective
2. by the book - Phrase
Meaning
(idiomatic) In a manner which adheres strictly to rules, legal requirements, or official procedures.
(idiomatic, by extension) In a manner which appears too studied, ritualized, and therefore artificial.
by-the-book (not comparable)
(idiomatic) Adhering strictly to rules, legal requirements, or official procedures.
Alternative names
by-the-book
Synonyms
Antonyms
Show all antonymsRelated terms
Examples
At the same time, the Perl version number was bumped to 4, not to mark a major change in the language but to identify the version that was well documented by the book.
By 1976, however, he had sorted out the international travel problems, and went to Gabon instead, inspired by the book Trader Horn.
A case of honesty in advertising if nothing else, the UK-set series that launches May 10 is almost entirely without distinction except in how by the book it mostly is.
Bungay 2000, p. 249. Training also emphasised by-the-book attacks by sections breaking away in sequence.
Crichton says he was "terrifically impressed" by the book - "a lot of Andromeda is traceable to Ipcress in terms of trying to create an imaginary world using recogniseable techniques and real people."
Dr Mkhize’s coughing etiquette was very much by the book, though, as he coughed into his jacket sleeve, as advised.