rule of thumb
21rule of thumb — noun 1. a rule based on experience or practice rather than on scientific knowledge. 2. a rough, practical method of procedure. {? from the length of the first joint of the thumb being about an inch and being used as a rough unit of measure} …
22rule of thumb — noun a rule or principle that provides guidance to appropriate behavior • Syn: ↑guidepost, ↑guideline • Hypernyms: ↑rule, ↑regulation …
23rule of thumb — Basis for measuring, deciding. ► “If you followed all of WALL STREET’s rules of thumb, your hands would be full and your pockets empty. Many of these financial planning edicts are undoubtedly helpful. But oftentimes, you will find that the… …
24rule of thumb — 1. a general or approximate principle, procedure, or rule based on experience or practice, as opposed to a specific, scientific calculation or estimate. 2. a rough, practical method of procedure. [1685 95] * * * …
25rule of thumb — a broadly accurate guide or principle, based on practice rather than theory. → rule …
26rule of thumb — Date: 1692 1. a method of procedure based on experience and common sense 2. a general principle regarded as roughly correct but not intended to be scientifically accurate …
27rule of thumb — Synonyms and related words: R and D, control, control experiment, controlled experiment, cut and try, empiricism, experiment, experimental design, experimental method, experimental proof, experimentalism, experimentation, hit and miss, noble… …
28rule of thumb — (Roget s IV) n. Syn. approximation, estimate, general guideline; see guess , hypothesis …
29rule of thumb — guiding principle …
30(a) rule of thumb — a rule of ˈthumb idiom a practical method of doing or measuring sth, usually based on past experience rather than on exact measurement • As a rule of thumb, you should cook a chicken for 20 minutes for each pound of weight. Main entry: ↑ruleidiom …
