by-the-book

by-the-book — idiom

1. in a way that sticks closely to rules or formal procedures and avoids exceptions

1.慣用語B2
釋義

in a way that sticks closely to rules or formal procedures and avoids exceptions or shortcuts

例句

Nora checks every visa form by-the-book before sending it to Seoul.

check paperwork by-the-book before submission

The new sergeant runs the training camp by-the-book, even on rainy days.

run a workplace or system by-the-book

同義詞
  • by the rules

    very close in meaning, but less tied to formal office procedures

  • strictly

    broader and can describe any firm manner, not specifically rule-following

  • according to procedure

    more formal and often used in official or workplace settings

反義詞
  • informally

    describes doing something without following the full official process

  • flexibly

    suggests adapting to the situation instead of following every rule exactly

文法句型

do something by-the-book

handle something by-the-book

run something by-the-book

be by-the-book

用法筆記

Usually follows verbs describing how someone carries out a task, investigation, or decision. It often suggests careful honesty, but it can also imply that someone is too rigid to make practical exceptions.

常見錯誤

❌The clerk did it by-the-bookly.
✅The clerk did it by-the-book.
💡by-the-book is already a complete fixed expression and does not take -ly.
❌They were by-the-book the form.
✅They handled the form by-the-book.
💡use the phrase to describe how an action is carried out, not with a direct object after be.