Meaning of rule of thumb | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A general guideline, rather than a strict rule; an approximate measure or means of reckoning based on experience or common knowledge.
2. Approximated, guesstimated.
   attributive

Equivalents

Examples

“The usual rule of thumb says that to calculate when an investment will double, divide 70 by the interest rate.”

“Here's a good rule of thumb: Too clever is dumb.”

“Since it is impossible to second-guess what a user will want to look up, there is a general lexicographical rule of thumb to err on the side of inclusion.”

“I made a quick, rule-of-thumb estimate of the manhours required for the job.”

CEFR level