🗓️ Idiom: Play by Your Own Rules (v)
💬 Meaning
- Act without following official rules or expectations
- Create your own standards instead of respecting formal procedures
🧠 Example Sentences
- The regulator warned that the company was playing by its own rules and ignoring compliance standards.
- If each department plays by its own rules, we’ll never meet legal requirements.
- The CEO was criticized for playing by his own rules and bypassing reporting protocols.
🏛️ Origin
This idiom comes from the world of games and sports, where “rules” are clearly defined. If someone plays by their own rules, they ignore those shared standards. In business, it means acting without following accepted laws or procedures.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blank:
The audit revealed that the company was __________ instead of following national regulations.
Answer
playing by its own rules
2. Choose the correct meaning of “playing by your own rules”:
A) Following the industry code of ethics
B) Making decisions without regard for official rules
C) Seeking legal advice for every action
Answer
B) Making decisions without regard for official rules
3. Change the sentence using “playing by your own rules”:
“The manager ignored the compliance process and did things his own way.”
Answer
The manager was playing by his own rules.
ℹ️ Other Useful Pages
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👉 Regulation and Compliance Idioms
👉 Business English Idioms List
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