# run the rule over

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/run-the-rule-over
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To examine carefully and thoroughly.

## Examples

- Please run the rule over this report before I send it.
- The manager asked the team to run the rule over the new contract to ensure there are no hidden errors.
- Before finalizing the acquisition, the auditors spent several days running the rule over the company's financial records to verify their accuracy.

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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.