# as a rule

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/as-a-rule
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

In general; most often.

## Examples

- As a rule, I drink coffee in the morning.
- As a rule, the store closes early on Sundays, so plan your shopping trip accordingly.
- While he occasionally makes exceptions for close friends, as a rule he refuses to discuss his professional life during dinner parties.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.