rule of thumb
/ˌruːl əv ˈθʌm/NEUTRAL · C1
Meaning
a rough practical guide based on experience
Examples
- 1As a rule of thumb, one cup of rice feeds two people.
- 2A good rule of thumb is to save a tenth of every pay cheque.
- 3My rule of thumb is simple: if I haven't worn something for a year, I give it away.
- 4The builder used a rule of thumb to work out how much paint we would need.
- 5Is there a rule of thumb for how long to leave bread dough to rise?
Grammar
A countable noun: a rule of thumb, as a rule of thumb. Nothing goes between the words.
More idioms about the body
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →put your foot in itto say something by accident that embarrasses or upsets someonebreak a legused to wish a performer good luckstick your neck outto take a risk by saying or doing something boldtwist your armto persuade someone to do something they are unwilling to doby the skin of your teethonly just, by a very small marginbury your head in the sandto refuse to think about an unpleasant problem
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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