˜yÐÄvlog

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rule of thumb

noun

  1. a general or approximate principle, procedure, or rule based on experience or practice, as opposed to a specific, scientific calculation or estimate.
  2. a rough, practical method of procedure.


rule of thumb

noun

    1. a rough and practical approach, based on experience, rather than a scientific or precise one based on theory
    2. ( as modifier )

      a rule-of-thumb decision

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

rule of thumb

  1. A practical principle that comes from the wisdom of experience and is usually but not always valid: “When playing baseball, a good rule of thumb is to put your best hitter fourth in the batting order.â€
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˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of rule of thumb1

First recorded in 1685–95
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Idioms and Phrases

A rough and useful principle or method, based on experience rather than precisely accurate measures. For example, His work with the youth group is largely by rule of thumb . This expression alludes to making rough estimates of measurements by using one's thumb. [Second half of 1600s]
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

A good rule of thumb is to have your sugar solution fill approximately three quarters to an inch of your saucepan.

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There’s no agreed-upon rule of thumb for when you need to call a professional cleaner or damage repair service, but your proximity to the flames and the length of exposure can be key.

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Another rule of thumb is to keep raw meat and poultry away from other foods to minimize cross contamination.

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As a rule of thumb, smart meters in the northern region designed to connect to the radio signal have two small indicator lights on the communications hub, fitted to the top of the smart meter.

From

Beth Saltz, a pediatric dietitian in Woodland Hills, said a general rule of thumb is to make sure that all of the ingredients listed could be sold in the grocery store.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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