rule of thumb


noun

a general or approximate principle, procedure, or rule based on experience or practice, as opposed to a specific, scientific calculation or estimate.
a rough, practical method of procedure.

Origin of rule of thumb

First recorded in 1685–95

Example sentences from the Web for rule of thumb

British Dictionary definitions for rule of thumb

rule of thumb

noun

  1. a rough and practical approach, based on experience, rather than a scientific or precise one based on theory
  2. (as modifier)a rule-of-thumb decision

Cultural definitions for rule of thumb

rule of thumb

A practical principle that comes from the wisdom of experience and is usually but not always valid: “When playing baseball, a good rule of thumb is to put your best hitter fourth in the batting order.”

Idioms and Phrases with rule of thumb

rule of thumb

A rough and useful principle or method, based on experience rather than precisely accurate measures. For example, His work with the youth group is largely by rule of thumb. This expression alludes to making rough estimates of measurements by using one's thumb. [Second half of 1600s]