cardinal rule
Absolute guiding law
A cardinal rule is a fundamental principle that must not be violated.
Cardinal here means principal or of primary importance, as in cardinal sins or cardinal directions.
The phrase emphasizes that some rules matter more than others: The cardinal rule of investing is never risk more than you can afford to lose.
Regarded as too important to alter
- nonnegotiableCannot be altered
- absoluteTotal, without qualification
- unbreakableImpossible to damage
- immutableIncapable of being changed
ironclad · binding · inviolate · untouchable · fixed · firm · strict · rigid
Of supreme significance
- fundamentalForming the base
- essentialFundamentally necessary
- primaryChief in importance
- centralIn the middle, primary
critical · crucial · vital · key · core · principal · supreme · preeminent
Fundamental truth or standard
- axiomSelf-evident starting principle
- bedrockSolid stone underground
- cornerstoneFoundational building block
- keystoneArch's central locking stone
basis · groundwork · underpinning · premise · framework · pillar · anchor · linchpin
sacrosanct
Regarded as too important to alter
- nonnegotiableCannot be altered
- absoluteTotal, without qualification
- unbreakableImpossible to damage
immutable · ironclad · binding · inviolate · untouchable · fixed · firm · strict · rigid · unyielding
paramount
Of supreme significance
- fundamentalForming the base
- essentialFundamentally necessary
- primaryChief in importance
central · critical · crucial · vital · key · core · principal · supreme · preeminent · overriding
principle
Fundamental truth or standard
- axiomSelf-evident starting principle
- bedrockSolid stone underground
- cornerstoneFoundational building block
keystone · basis · groundwork · underpinning · premise · framework · pillar · anchor · linchpin · touchstone
commandment
Authoritative rule to obey
- decreeAuthoritative legal command
- edictAuthoritative public command
- directiveFormal command or instruction
mandate · ordinance · dictum · precept · canon · doctrine · dogma · tenet · credo · statute
cardinal ruleminor detail
Insignificant specific element
footnote · afterthought · nicety · side note · technicality
cardinal, rule, cardinals, rules, ruled, ruling, ruler, rulers, rulebook