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strict rule

strict rule

14 3.4
An order people must follow exactly, often with punishment if ignored
  • noun
  • /strɪkt ruːl/
translation icon : regla estricta
  • The African producers quickly achieved high grades as a result of the strict rules.
  • strict rules govern
  • strict rules and expectations
  • follow strict rules

And you would have things like, you know, the Bible being taught in schools, but have really strict rules about LGBT students.

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Examples

  • We have very strict rules governing what empaths and telepaths are allowed to do.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • So this year we're going to have some strict rules in class.

  • I had to set very strict rules and keep 'em in line.

  • The library has very strict rules.

  • No, sir, there are strict rules and legal procedures.

  • You have to understand that we have very strict rules regarding this sort of behavior here.

  • But the department has some pretty strict rules on sexual harassment.

  • All of you young ladies know that there is a strict rule... against pets in the school.

  • But as you know, we have a strict rule here: No International Rescue craft is launched unless someone is in grave danger.

  • In this school, there are strict rules that all students must follow to ensure safety.

Synonyms

rule
vsstrict rule
1.0

An instruction or law that tells people what to do

is a specifically enforced and inflexible form of that general guidance
regulation
vsstrict rule
  • Formal
730 3.4

An official rule made by an authority

stresses rigid enforcement and little flexibility rather than merely official origin
restriction
vsstrict rule
340 3.0

A rule or action that limits what you can do

is more about strict enforcement and little or no flexibility rather than simple limitation
constraint
vsstrict rule
86 4.6

A rule or condition that limits what you can do

adds strict, rigid enforcement and almost no flexibility to that limiting aspect
stricture
vsstrict rule
8 7.7

A rule that limits what people can do

emphasises rigid enforcement and lack of flexibility more than mere limitation
hard-and-fast rule
vsstrict rule
6 4.5

A fixed instruction you cannot change or adapt

is enforced rigidly but may allow formal interpretation rather than being absolute
strict code
vsstrict rule
3 4.2

A set of rules people must always follow with no exceptions

is a single enforced requirement rather than a whole set of principles
strict measure
vsstrict rule
1 4.8

A strong rule that people must follow to keep others safe

is the general enforced requirement rather than a single action
bright-line rule
vsstrict rule
  • Jargon
1 7.8

A clear rule that tells people exactly what to do

focuses more on strict enforcement and lack of flexibility rather than clarity

How Strict

strict rule
14 3.4
rule
1.0
guideline
344 3.1

Surface Forms

strict rule singular
strict rules plural

Morphology

strict + rule

The meaning 'a regulation enforced rigidly' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'strict' (severe in enforcing rules) with 'rule' (a regulation). This adjective+noun compositional pattern is straightforward and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should understand the MWE.

Etymology

Strict rule may come from the image of a hard, straight rule used as a wooden measuring stick, and the word strict meaning 'held tight'. Like a stick that will not bend, a strict rule is an order or law that is 'not flexible'.