work to rule

verb

To work slowly by strictly following all work rules, usually in a work-to-rule job action, as part of unionized labor protest.

Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

verbwork to rule (third-person singular simple present works to rule, present participle working to rule, simple past and past participle worked to rule)

present singular third person works to rule · participle present working to rule · participle past worked to rule · past worked to rule · alternative work to rules · alternative work-to-rule

  1. idiomaticTo work slowly by strictly following all work rules, usually in a work-to-rule job action, as part of unionized labor protest.
nounwork to rule (plural work to rules)

plural work to rules · alternative work to rules · alternative work-to-rule

  1. alternativeAlternative spelling of work-to-rule.
Cite this entry
APA

work to rule. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/work%20to%20rule

MLA

“work to rule.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/work%20to%20rule. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “work to rule,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/work%20to%20rule.

Source: work to rule on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.