“Rule of Thumb” Meaning, Origin and Examples

Last updated on October 5, 2024 by Liam Daniel

You may have heard someone using the term rule of thumb many times during a conversation, but what is the meaning of this phrase? We are going to take a look at the meaning of the term as well as finding out where it came from in the first place. We will also look at some examples of the phrase in use so that we can better understand how it fits into daily conversation.

“Rule of Thumb” Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

  • The phrase “rule of thumb” refers to a general principle or guideline based on experience or common sense, rather than a strict or scientifically proven method. It’s a simple, practical way to approach a situation, often used when there is no precise formula or rule to follow.
Rule of Thumb
Rule of Thumb – Created by 7ESL

“Rule of Thumb” Meaning

The phrase “rule of thumb” refers to a general principle or guideline based on practical experience rather than a strict rule or precise measurement. It is often used to describe a rough estimate or a commonly accepted practice that can be applied in various situations.

Examples:

  • “As a rule of thumb, you should water your plants once a week.”
  • “The rule of thumb in cooking is to taste as you go.”

Origin of this Term

The term “rule of thumb” appears in print as early as the 17th century. It was used in various contexts, including carpentry and brewing, to indicate practical, experience-based guidelines rather than formal laws or regulations.

Usage of “Rule of Thumb”

  • Giving practical advice:

“As a rule of thumb, you should drink eight glasses of water a day to stay hydrated.”

  • In a work setting:

“A good rule of thumb in business is to always under-promise and over-deliver.”

  • Talking about general habits:

“As a rule of thumb, I check the weather before planning any outdoor activities.”

  • In a cooking context:

“When baking, a rule of thumb is to preheat the oven before starting the recipe.”

Related Terms to “Rule of Thumb”

  • Guideline – a general rule or principle that provides direction.
  • Principle – a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior.
  • Best practice – a method or technique that has been proven to be effective through experience.
  • Approximation – a value or amount that is nearly correct or close to the exact figure.
  • Rough estimate – a general calculation that is not exact but provides a close idea of a value.
  • Common sense – sound practical judgment that is shared by a group or community.
  • Adage – a traditional saying that expresses a general truth or principle.
  • Maxim – a short, pithy statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct.
  • Heuristic – a practical approach to problem-solving or learning that is not guaranteed to be optimal but is sufficient for reaching an immediate goal.
  • Practical advice – recommendations based on experience and common knowledge rather than theory or strict rules.

Other Ways to Say “Rule of Thumb”

There are many other ways in which you might express the meaning of the idiomatic term rule of thumb, here are some examples of other things you might say which carry the same meaning.

List of “rule of thumb” synonyms:

  • General rule
  • Ground rule
  • Golden rule
  • Gold standard
  • Key principle

“Rule of Thumb” Examples

Example Sentences

The saying rule of thumb is a common one heard in English, we will now look at some examples of the phrase in use.

The first statement is being made by an employer.

  • If you are struggling with the software, a good rule of thumb is to restart the computer.

This next sentence is from a blog post.

  • I apply all of my make up with a sponge as a rule of thumb.

Conversation Examples

There may be many different types of conversation in which you might hear the term rule of thumb, we are now going to take a look at some examples of this.

The first conversation is taking place between a father and son.

  • Person 1: “I have passed my driving test.”
  • Person 2: “Well done but you must remember to drive safely.”
  • Person 1: “I will, I have a rule of thumb that I do not drive faster than 50mph.”

The next conversation is taking place between a plumber and a client.

  • Person 1: “I have finished the work on your sink.”
  • Person 2: “Why was it clogged up?”
  • Person 1: “There was a backlog of dirt in the pipe, a good rule of thumb is to clean the pipe monthly.”

Other examples:

  • A good rule of thumb is that a broker must generate sales of ten times his salary if his employer is to make a profit.
  • As a rule of thumb, you should cook a chicken for 20 minutes for each pound that it weighs.
  • In general, the rule of thumb was that one’s peers were seconded to perform the role.
  • The rule of thumb is that XML expands by a factor of ten when reading into memory.
  • You should tip bellmen $1- $2 per bag, as a rule of thumb.
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