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REFERENCE

bright-line rule

idiom
Meaning

A clear-cut rule, so that it is easy to make a decision.


Examples
SIMPLE

The company has a bright-line rule against using phones during meetings.

CONTEXTUAL

To avoid confusion, the manager established a bright-line rule that all project reports must be submitted by Friday at noon.

COMPLEX

The court established a bright-line rule to ensure that future judges could apply the law consistently without needing to interpret vague circumstances.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as a rule

    In general; most often.

  2. 02

    golden rule

    A fundamental rule or principle.

  3. 03

    ground rule

    The basic rules or standards; basic principles.

  4. 04

    rule in

    To consider (something) as a possible option among others.

  5. 05

    rule of thumb

    A general guideline, rather than a strict rule; an approximate measure or means of reckoning based on experience or common knowledge.

  6. 06

    rule OK

    To be popularly accepted, or supported by the general majority of people.

  7. 07

    rule out

    To reject an option from a list of possibilities.

  8. 08

    rule the day

    To set the standard which guides behavior; to control a situation, group, strategy, etc.

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