bend the rules

bend the rules

To do something that is usually prohibited. You're not supposed to have sweets when you get home from school, but I guess we can bend the rules a little.

See also: bend, rule

bend the rules

COMMON If you bend the rules, you do something which is not allowed, either to help someone else or for your own advantage. The river authorities said they were willing to bend the rules for us and allowed us to go ahead. The rules are often bent to ensure a good show. Note: You can also say that you stretch the rules. He accused the company of stretching the sport's rules to the limit.

See also: bend, rule

bend/stretch the ˈrules

allow somebody to break the rules to some extent because you think there is a good reason: We don’t normally employ people over 50, but in your case we’re prepared to bend the rules a little.

See also: bend, rule, stretch