Meaning & use
bending rules
Last updated
Meanings
phraseidiom
the act of not following a rule strictly, often in a minor or unofficial way
Grammar: Used as a noun phrase; often after verbs like 'be', 'mean', or 'involve'.
Patterns
- bending the rules
- bending the rules for someone
- be accused of bending the rules
The referee was criticized for bending the rules to help the home team.
Some people think that bending the rules is acceptable if no one gets hurt.
She lost her job after repeatedly bending the rules.
phraseidiomdisapproving
the practice of making small changes to official rules to fit a particular situation
Grammar: Often used in political or business contexts; can be disapproving.
Patterns
- bending the rules to do something
- bending the rules in favor of someone
The company was accused of bending the rules to avoid paying taxes.
Bending the rules for friends is not fair to other applicants.
Common combinations
- bending the rules
- He was known for bending the rules when it suited him.
- accused of bending the rules
- The official was accused of bending the rules during the election.
- bending the rules for someone
- The teacher was caught bending the rules for her favorite student.
- without bending the rules
- You can achieve success without bending the rules.
Synonyms and how they differ
- stretching the rules
- Similar but implies pushing the limits of what is allowed, rather than breaking them outright.
- cutting corners
- Focuses on doing something in the quickest, cheapest, or easiest way, often by ignoring proper procedures.
Opposites
Word family
- bend the rules phrase
- The base verb phrase meaning to not follow rules strictly.
- rule-bending noun
- The act of bending rules; often used before another noun, as in 'rule-bending practices'.
Commonly confused: bending rules or breaking the rules?
bending rules vs breaking the rules
'Breaking the rules' means violating them completely, while 'bending the rules' means not following them strictly but not fully breaking them.
Practice
The manager was accused of ______ the rules to give his friend the contract.
Choose one answer.
'Bending the rules' means not following them strictly, which fits the context of giving an unfair advantage. 'Breaking' would mean violating them completely, which is stronger and less likely here. 'Following' is the opposite, and 'making' does not collocate with 'rules' in this sense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “bending rules”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.