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to rule

to rule

91 7.8
To be very good or enjoyable
  • verb
  • /ruːl/
  • Slang
: arrasar
  • And possums rule!
  • still rules

No, like like that rules as a story.

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Examples

  • Man, this kid rules.

  • Seniors rule!

  • Someone or something definitely rules in this area, but who or what?

    Academic text (2002)
  • So you could say that passion still rules the game.

  • The outcome of Chicago sports teams can rule my emotional flavor, period.

    Blog text (3)
  • Don't have to be cool to rule my world

  • The wise do not wish to rule, and the unwise do not wish to be ruled.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Yeah, Peanut, you rule.

  • Metallica rules!

  • When it comes to live performances, few artists can match her talent; she truly rules the stage.

Synonyms

to rock
vsto rule
  • Slang
481 7.5

To be very good or impressive

emphasizes plain outstanding quality rather than stylish impressiveness
to kick ass
vsto rule
  • Offensive
159 9.3

To be very good and impressive

is informal praise but less vulgar and intense
to slay
vsto rule
  • Slang
26 8.1

To do something very well so people are impressed

applies more broadly and not only to performances or social situations

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

Not succeed in doing something you wanted to do

To do worse than expected or needed

Idioms

39 2.8

Usually in most cases

4 6.3

To be in control of a group and make important decisions

to work to rule
  • Literature
1 7.5

Follow rules exactly to make tasks slower as a protest

Phrasal Verbs

183 3.5

Decide that an idea, cause or option should not be considered

Do what a rule says

24 4.2

To be in charge of people or a place

12 6.5

Decide to include something as a possible option

7 5.3

Decide that one person or group should win a legal case

To be in charge of a school and its activities

Compounds

rule of law
  • Formal
99 3.7

All people and organizations, including officials, must follow the same fair laws

48 3.1

A basic agreement made at the start to guide how people act

rule of thumb
  • Informal
34 3.8

A simple practical way to do or decide things from experience that is not exact

33 7.9

A guide that tells military and other people when they can start fighting and what they may do

26 2.7

A book that lists the rules for a group or activity

26 3.4

An order people must follow exactly, often with punishment if ignored

15 3.3

A basic idea people always follow in a particular job or activity

13 3.6

Decisions made by most people in a group

9 3.7

Treat other people as you want them to treat you

8 5.8

Government by a country's own people instead of by a foreign power

A fixed instruction you cannot change or adapt

7 8.4

A law about what information can be used as proof in a court case

gag rule
  • Formal
6 8.6

A rule that stops people in a committee or parliament from talking about a topic

5 4.2

A simple rule used at work that is not perfect but works in practice

slide rule
  • Archaic
5 8.5

A long thin tool with sliding scales that people use to do quick math before calculators

home rule
  • Formal
5 6.2

The right of a city or county to run its own local matters without central government control

3 8.6

A rule that stops illegally found evidence from being used in a criminal trial

A person who always obeys instructions and people in charge

hearsay rule
  • Specialized
1 9.3

A rule that stops statements made outside court from being used as evidence

A guide about how to form sentences and use words correctly

1 8.2

A government where one person has all power and others cannot oppose them

grammatical rule
  • Specialized
1 3.3

A rule about how to make sentences and phrases correctly

1 7.8

A clear rule that tells people exactly what to do

Miranda rule
  • Formal
1 6.2

Police must tell someone arrested they can stay silent, have a lawyer, and anything said can be used in court

1 9.0

A rule that requires showing the original document, photo, or recording in court to prove its content

A simple practical way to decide what to do from experience to solve problems faster

Very complicated rules that are hard to follow or understand

1 9.9

A rule that stops people using spoken words to change a written contract in court

linguistic rule
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A guideline that tells how people use words and sentences

algorithmic rule
  • Specialized
1 5.9

A clear step-by-step rule for solving a problem using math or a computer

morphological rule
  • Specialized
1 7.6

A way to show how words are made from small parts like un- and -ness

1 2.5

To treat other people the way you want them to treat you

A flexible tool like a ruler with length marks used to measure and draw straight lines

Vegas rule
  • Informal
1 8.7

An informal rule that people do not tell others about things that happen on a trip

work to rule
  • Literature
1 7.2

A protest where employees slow down by doing only required tasks

1 2.0

A ruler one foot long used to measure length

board rule
  • Specialized
7.9

A tool for measuring lumber to find board feet

9.9

An informal guideline that picture parts should not extend above a diagonal from left to right

Naegele's rule
  • Specialized
8.4

A way to find a baby's due date by using the first day of the last period

9.9

A strict rule applied the same to everyone that ignores personal differences

rule of morphology
  • Specialized
7.4

A way that shows how words are made and changed in a language

9.9

A court changes a gift meant for a charity so the giver's main wish still happens

plumb rule
  • Specialized
7.9

A straight narrow board with a hanging weight used to check if a wall is perfectly vertical

two-second rule
  • Informal
5.3

A belief that food dropped on the floor for less than two seconds is still safe to eat

How Excellent

to excel
81 3.7
to rule
  • Slang
91 7.8
good
∞ 1.0
average
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

rule infinitive
ruled past
ruled past participle
ruling present participle
rules third person singular

Etymology

Rule (slang: to be excellent) is a modern use that comes from the idea of 'dominating' or 'leading' others, like the older meaning 'to rule'. A helpful way to remember it is to think 'that thing rules' as 'it leads or dominates', so it feels great or powerful.