As a rule 's definition, meaning and history

Meaning of “as a rule”

The phrase “as a rule” is an idiom that means “usually” or “in general.” It’s used to describe something that happens most of the time or under normal circumstances.

Examples of “as a rule”

Daily Life

As a rule, I wake up at 6 AM every morning
As a rule, we have family dinner together on Sundays
As a rule, I drink eight glasses of water daily
As a rule, I check my emails first thing in the morning
As a rule, we don’t watch TV during meals
As a rule, I take a walk after lunch
As a rule, I avoid caffeine after 4 PM
As a rule, I make my bed right after waking up
As a rule, we recycle all our plastic containers
As a rule, I do laundry on weekends

Work & Professional

As a rule, meetings shouldn’t last more than an hour
As a rule, we submit reports by Friday afternoon
As a rule, client calls are scheduled in the morning
As a rule, we back up our data daily
As a rule, remote workers check in twice daily
As a rule, lunch breaks are one hour long
As a rule, overtime must be approved in advance
As a rule, expense reports are due monthly
As a rule, we use version control for all code
As a rule, all emails should be answered within 24 hours

As a rule, we split restaurant bills equally
As a rule, I don’t discuss politics at family gatherings
As a rule, we celebrate birthdays with cake
As a rule, I call my parents every weekend
As a rule, we don’t invite exes to parties
As a rule, wedding invitations are sent two months ahead
As a rule, we respect each other’s privacy
As a rule, we knock before entering someone’s room
As a rule, borrowed items should be returned promptly
As a rule, we RSVP to invitations within a week

Health & Wellness

As a rule, I exercise three times a week
As a rule, I avoid processed foods
As a rule, I get eight hours of sleep
As a rule, I take vitamins with breakfast
As a rule, I stretch before working out
As a rule, I meditate for 10 minutes daily
As a rule, we have regular health check-ups
As a rule, I floss every night
As a rule, I use sunscreen daily
As a rule, I take breaks every hour while working

Financial

As a rule, I save 20% of my monthly income
As a rule, we pay bills before the due date
As a rule, I avoid impulse purchases
As a rule, we keep emergency funds
As a rule, I track all my expenses
As a rule, we compare prices before big purchases
As a rule, I don’t lend money to friends
As a rule, we budget for holidays
As a rule, I review my bank statements monthly
As a rule, we avoid taking on unnecessary debt

History of “as a rule”

The phrase “as a rule” has been in use for centuries, with its origins dating back to Middle English. Here’s what we know about its history:

Early usage: The phrase “as a rule” first appeared in English in the 16th century, with early examples found in texts from the 1500s.
Latin influence: The use of “as a rule” in English may have been influenced by Latin phrases like “ut regula” or “secundum regulam,” which mean “according to the rule.”
Formality: “As a rule” is considered a formal expression in English, often used in writing or formal speech to introduce general statements or principles.
Synonyms: Other phrases that can be used in place of “as a rule” include “generally,” “typically,” or “ordinarily.”

Overall, “as a rule” is a common idiom in English that is used to describe general truths or principles. It’s a versatile phrase that can be used in a variety of contexts to express common practices or behaviors.

Prev words: Brought out Next words: Bring on

Back to AI Meaning.