play by the rules
Act within bounds
To play by the rules is to follow accepted standards of conduct, whether in games, business, or social situations.
The phrase implies fairness and compliance with established norms: She always plays by the rules, even when others cut corners.
Someone who doesn't play by the rules operates outside conventional expectations—sometimes admirably, often not.
- obeyFollow commands given
- followGo behind another
- fairnessJust and equal treatment
- respectRegard with honor
- integrityMoral soundness and consistency
sportsmanship · honor · honesty · above board · compliance · abide by · toe the line · accountability · conformity · by the book · ethics · virtue · trustworthiness · do the right thing · due process · discipline · lawfulness · obedience
- fairnessfair shake, fair treatment, fair and square, fair share, justice
- phrases about integritykeep your word, man of his word, straight shooter, above board, on the level
play by the rulescheat
Act dishonestly to win
break the rules · play dirty · bend the rules · cut corners · game the system
play by the rulesthink outside the box
break the mold · go rogue · color outside the lines · improvise
play by the rulesbreak the rules
play, plays, played, playing, player, players, playful, playfully, playfulness