Idiom idiom
to the letter
Meaning
Literally, exactly, following the rules as written.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Examples
“Follow the instructions to the letter.”
“The chef followed the secret recipe to the letter to ensure the dish tasted perfect.”
“Although the legal contract was incredibly long and complex, the firm insisted that every employee adhere to its terms to the letter.”
Anchors to
Last updated August 10, 2026