Rule of Thumb.
English
idiom
A general rule based on experience.
Trusted by1M+English learners & teachers worldwide
A general rule based on experience.
Trusted by1M+English learners & teachers worldwide
A rough guide based on experience rather than strict rules.
A rule of thumb gives you a useful starting point.
It won't always be exact, but it works well enough most of the time.
"Best Practice"
—
A proven, recommended method — more formal and authoritative than a rule of thumb
"Golden Rule"
—
A fundamental moral principle — rules of thumb are about practical guidance, not ethics
"Rule of Thumb"
—
A practical general guideline based on experience that works in most situations
How much buffer should we add to the project timeline?
Rule of thumb — add 20% to whatever your estimate is. It's almost always needed.
How do you decide how much to spend on rent?
Rule of thumb: no more than 30% of your income. It's not perfect, but it's a solid guide.
How do you stay organized with so many projects?
My rule of thumb is: if it takes under two minutes, do it now. Saves so much mental clutter.
