follow the book

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Tell Me Lies” is based on a 2018 novel of the same name by Carola Lovering but does not follow the book to the letter.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 20, 2022

"A fatality seemed to follow the book," Stonehouse later wrote.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2022

"We believe in our players, and it doesn't work all the time. When it doesn't work and you follow the book, it doesn't look good."

From Fox News • Oct. 2, 2021

We have cards up on the wall of our timeline, and we move them around when we add or subtract things because our story doesn’t follow the book exactly.

From New York Times • Jun. 18, 2017

I expected mother to tell him, and I daresay I should not have been surprised to see my furs follow the book.

From Bab: a Sub-Deb by Rinehart, Mary Roberts