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Glite Dictionary
hard-and-fast

hard-and-fast

12 5.7
Very clear rules or limits that do not allow change
  • adjective
  • /hɑrd ənd fæst/
translation icon : estricto
  • In many sports, there are hard-and-fast rules that players must follow to ensure fair play.
  • hard-and-fast rules
  • hard-and-fast conclusions

Now, it's not a, you know, a, it's not a, a hard and fast date.

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Examples

  • There is no hard-and-fast rule that says one type of corporate client is better than another.

    Academic text (2009)

  • There is no hard and fast rule for determining the suitability of a child for PCA.

    Academic text (2003)

  • There is no hard and fast rule about where you apply.

  • So we are way too early to actually give hard and fast rules on some of these things.

  • Well, there are no hard and fast rules.

    Labor Pains (2009)

  • Nobody can make hard and fast rules about women.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • There are no hard and fast rules about what approach to use for different situations, age groups, or cultures.

    Academic text (2010)

  • The main prerequisite, say locals, is to remember three hard and fast rules: Be honest, be fair, and be friendly.

    Academic text (1994)

  • People seem to be looking for some hard and fast rule that's always applicable.

    Blog text (32)

  • There are no hard and fast rules for organizing performance pieces, but many choral conductors follow some general principles.

    Academic text (2000)

Synonyms

strict
vshard-and-fast
359 3.2

Not allowing any exceptions and requiring rules to be followed exactly

makes rules clearly defined so there is no doubt or flexibility
stringent
vshard-and-fast
40 6.9

Very strict rules or limits that must be followed

focuses more on clear wording and lack of flexibility than technical precision
hard-line
vshard-and-fast
  • Literature
21 7.2

Firm and unwilling to change views or plans, often in politics

applies to rules that are clearly defined and strictly enforced
ironclad
vshard-and-fast
15 7.4

Very strict and impossible to change

stresses clear definition and strict enforcement rather than just unbreakability
hardline
vshard-and-fast
14 6.8

Very strict and unwilling to change policies or make compromises

refers to clearly defined enforced rules rather than a stubborn position
hard-ass
vshard-and-fast
  • Offensive
5 9.3

Very strict and demanding about rules or work

describes clear, strictly enforced rules rather than only a severe attitude

Antonyms

flexible
155 3.4

Able to change or be changed to fit different situations

How Strict

inflexible
11 4.7
hard-and-fast
12 5.7
strict
359 3.2
firm
73 2.7

Surface Forms

hard-and-fast positive

Morphology

hard-and-fast = hard + fast (semi-transparent) = hard + and + fast

The phrase is a transparent combination of 'hard' and 'fast', but its idiomatic meaning 'rigid, definite' is not fully predictable from the individual adjectives.

Etymology

The phrase hard-and-fast comes from old sailors, who said something was held hard and fast when it was stuck to rocks or the sea floor, with fast meaning 'firmly' like in fasten. So a hard-and-fast rule is 'fixed' and leaves no room for change.