/ru:l ||; rul/noun
1 [C] an official statement that tells you what you must or must not do in a particular situation or when playing a game 规则;条例;规定:
to obey / break a rule 遵守/违反规则
Do you know the rules of chess? 你知道下国际象棋的规则吗?
It's against the rules to smoke in this area. 在这地方吸烟是违法的。
The company have strict rules and regulations governing employees' dress. 公司对员工的服装有严格的规定。
2 [C] a piece of advice about what you should do in a particular situation 准则;重要原则:
When you run a marathon, the golden rule is: don't start too fast. 参加马拉松比赛的时候,记住开头不要跑得太快。
3 [sing] what is usual 常规;惯常的事:
Large families are the exception rather than the rule nowadays. 在现今的社会,大家庭已经不多见了。
As a general rule, women live longer than men. 女人通常比男人长寿。
I don't read much as a rule. 一般来说我不大看书。
4 [C] (in a language) a description of what is usual or correct (语言的)规则,准则,规范:
What is the rule for forming the past tense? 过去时的构成有什么规则?
5 [U] government; control 管治;统治;治理;控制:
The country is under military rule. 该国现在由军人统治。
bend the rules→
BEND¹
a rule of thumb a simple piece of practical advice, not involving exact details or figures 简单而实用的建议;经验法则
work to rule to follow the rules of your job in a very strict way in order to cause delay, as a form of protest against your employer or your working conditions 照章办事,按章工作(以延误工作,以此作为对雇主或工作条件的一种抗议行动)
☞Look at work-to-rule. 参看work-to-rule。