rule (redirected from rules out)

be the exception that proves the rule

if you say something is the exception that proves the rule, you mean that although it does not support the statement you have made, the statement is usually true. This woman is the exception that proves the rule that it is impossible to be a warmonger and a feminist at the same time.

See also: prove, that

bend/stretch the rules

to do something or to allow someone to do something which is not usually allowed. We don't usually let students take books away, but I'm willing to bend the rules on this occasion.

See also: bend, stretch

divide and conquer/rule

a way of keeping yourself in a position of power by making the people under you disagree with each other so that they are unable to join together and remove you from your position. A small minority have continued to govern by a policy of divide and conquer.

See also: conquer, divide

divide-and-conquer/rule

divide and conquer/rule - a way of keeping yourself in a position of power by making the people under you disagree with each other so that they are unable to join together and remove you from your position. They used divide-and-rule tactics to isolate their opponents. (always before noun)

the heart rules the head

let your heart rule your head - to do something because you want to rather than for practical reasons. I can't make her understand how stupid she's being. It's a case of the heart ruling the head.

See also: head, heart

let your heart rule your head

to do something because you want to rather than for practical reasons. Don't let your heart rule your head. If you lend him that money you'll never see it again.

See also: head, heart, let

no hard and fast rules

if there are no hard and fast rules, there are no clear rules which you must obey. There are no hard and fast rules about how much weight you can safely gain in pregnancy.

See also: fast, hard

a rule of thumb

a way of calculating something which is not exact but which will help you to be correct enough. A good rule of thumb is to cook two handfuls of rice per person.

See also: thumb

rule the roost

to be the most powerful person who makes all the decisions in a group. It was my mother who ruled the roost at home.

See also: roost

rule (someone) with a rod of iron (British, American & Australian, American & Australian)

to control a group of people very firmly, having complete power over everything that they do. For 17 years she ruled the country with a rod of iron. My uncle rules the family business with an iron hand.

See also: iron, rod

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as a (general) rule

usually. As a rule, we go away in June, but this year, we will take a trip in the fall.

bend the rules

to allow something to be done that is not usually allowed. We don't usually let students take books home, but I'll bend the rules this time.

See also: bend

rule out something

to stop considering something as a possibility. My doctor has ruled out drinking tea or coffee. Let's see how much the trip will cost before we rule it out.

rule the roost

to be the person who makes the decisions. Jimmy might be the boss at work, but at home it's his daughters who rule the roost.

See also: roost