rule-of-thumb
Rough working principle
A rule-of-thumb is a practical guideline based on experience rather than precise measurement or theory: As a rule of thumb, plan for one bottle of wine per guest.
The phrase suggests useful approximation—good enough for everyday purposes, though not exact.
Rules-of-thumb help navigate situations where strict calculation would be impractical or unnecessary.
Quicker alternative path
- estimationApproximate value judgment
- ballparkSports venue or estimate
- approximationNear but inexact value
- guesstimateRough, intuitive calculation
back-of-envelope · proxy · simplification · inference · extrapolation · generalization · ready-reckoner
Standard for comparison
- yardstickThirty-six-inch ruler
- criterionStandard for judgment
- standardLevel of quality accepted
- baselineStandard for comparison
touchstone · principle · norm · precept · maxim · pointer · guidepost · go-by
Traditional saying expressing truth
- adageTraditional pithy truth
- sayingShort, wise expression
- aphorismTerse general truth
- loreTraditional knowledge transmitted orally
wisdom · common-sense · experience · intuition · handed-down · time-tested · word-of-mouth · life-lesson
Focused on workable solutions
- workableAble to be implemented
- handyUseful and nearby
- informalRelaxed, not official
- real-worldExisting in physical reality
sensible · time-saving · ad-hoc · empirical · trial-and-error · hands-on · everyday · quick-and-dirty
shortcut
Quicker alternative path
- estimationApproximate value judgment
- ballparkSports venue or estimate
- approximationNear but inexact value
guesstimate · back-of-envelope · proxy · simplification · inference · extrapolation · generalization · ready-reckoner
benchmark
Standard for comparison
baseline · touchstone · principle · norm · precept · maxim · pointer · guidepost · go-by
proverb
Traditional saying expressing truth
lore · wisdom · common-sense · experience · intuition · handed-down · time-tested · word-of-mouth · life-lesson
pragmatic
Focused on workable solutions
real-world · sensible · time-saving · ad-hoc · empirical · trial-and-error · hands-on · everyday · quick-and-dirty · down-to-earth