Rule of thumb

Meaning

The "rule of thumb" is an idiomatic expression that refers to a general guideline or principle that provides practical advice or suggests a course of action. It is commonly used to describe a rule of practice rather than a specific law or regulation.

Usage

• As a new employee, Sarah relied on the rule of thumb for her first few weeks on the job, asking experienced colleagues for advice and guidance.
• In the world of cooking, a common rule of thumb is to always season your food with salt and pepper before tasting it.
• When it comes to investment, a good rule of thumb is to never put all your eggs in one basket.
• As a writer, I've found that following the rule of thumb for sentence structure can help keep my writing clear and concise.
• In sports, players often follow the rule of thumb when it comes to stretching before a game, taking their time to warm up their muscles.

Roots and History

The exact origin of the idiom "rule of thumb" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in medieval England as a reference to the width of a man's thumb compared to the length of his forearm. Over time, the phrase evolved to refer to any general guideline or principle that was easy to remember and practical to follow.

Synonyms in English

• "Best practice": This idiom refers to the most effective or efficient way of doing something. For example, "Following best practice for data security can help protect your company from cyber attacks."
• "Common wisdom": This idiom describes knowledge that is widely accepted as true and practical. For example, "It's common wisdom to always wear sunscreen on a beach day."
• "Practical advice": This idiom refers to advice that is based on experience and can be easily implemented. For example, "My manager gave me some practical advice for managing my workload more effectively."

Synonyms in other languages

• Japanese - 「お養ぶ」(Oshoubu): This idiom refers to general guidance or advice that is helpful for everyday life. For example, "My grandmother always had some oshoubu about how to take care of myself."
• Spanish - 「La regla de Ocho」(La regla de ocho): This idiom refers to a practical guideline or principle that is easy to remember and follow. For example, "In Spain, drivers often follow the rule of ocho by leaving an extra meter between their car and the one in front of them."
• French - 「Le mot d'ordre»(Le mot d'ordre): This idiom refers to a set of instructions or orders that are given to a group or organization for a specific task. For example, "The chef gave us a detailed mot d'ordre before starting the dinner service."
• German - 「Die Regel der Mittagspause»(Die Regel der mittagspause): This idiom refers to the idea of taking a break during the afternoon to rest and recharge. For example, "It's important to follow the rule of mittagspause for your own health."
• Dutch - 「De zeven zaken van de heksenmeester»(De zeven zaken van de heksenmeester): This idiom refers to a list of seven things that are considered to be universal or true for everyone. For example, "Everyone follows the zeven zaken van de heksenmeester when it comes to social media."

Similar Idioms

• rise and shine

• run across

• cost an arm and a leg