idiom
Go by the book
GOH BY thuh BUK
/ɡoʊ baɪ ðə bʊk/Listen
Hear it in a clear American voice. Slow it down to catch each syllable.
Syllable breakdown
gobythebook
Dictionary meaning
To follow every rule and regulation precisely, leaving no room for improvisation or personal judgment.
Examples
- In a regulatory environment this strict, it pays to go by the book every single time.
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