rule of thumb

Speech parts

1. rule of thumb - Noun

2. rule of thumb - Phrase

Meaning

a rule or principle that provides guidance to appropriate behavior

Source: WordNet

Alternative names

rule-of-thumb

Synonyms

maxim rule approximation advisory generalization proverb heuristic guidepost guideline

Hypernyms

rule regulation

Examples

And of course we are familiar with the English common law rule of thumb that said a man could in fact use a stick no bigger than his thumb to discipline his wife and family. Patricia Ireland

A rule of thumb with humor; if you worry that you might be going too far, you have already not gone far enough. If everybody laughs, you have failed. Christopher Hitchens

Jesus offers his disciples a simple rule of thumb which will enable even the least sophisticated of them to tell whether his intercourse with others is on the right lines or not. All he need do is to say "I” instead of "Thou,” and put himself in the other man's place. Dietrich Bonhoeffer

A good rule of thumb is every couple of hours take fifteen minutes off. Naps are also very helpful, short naps. Even a ten or fifteen minute nap in the middle of the day can be the equivalent of an hour and a half of extra sleep the night before, and it can raise your effective IQ by ten points. Daniel Levitin

[...]I should say that it is a good rule of thumb never to mention religion if you can possibly avoid it. George Orwell

A good rule of thumb. Traditional Proverb

Words in the phrase

rule of thumb

Close letter words and terms

rule of the sword rule of thirds Rule of Three rule of two rule off rule OK