the ground rules
1ground rules — n [plural] the basic rules or principles on which future actions or behaviour should be based lay down/establish ground rules for sth ▪ Our book lays down the ground rules for building a patio successfully …
2ground rules — noun The basic rules or standards; whatever someone must know before proceeding. Make sure everybody knows the ground rules for the trip before they leave …
3ground rules — UK US noun [plural] the basic rules or principles that govern the way that something is done Thesaurus: moral rules and rules of behavioursynonym morally good or correct …
4ground rules — UK US noun [plural] ► the rules on which a person or organization bases their behaviour: »He says that one of his ground rules is to not look at businesses that are not yet making money …
5ground rules — ground ,rules noun plural the basic rules or principles that govern the way something is done …
6Ground rules (baseball) — In baseball, ground rules are special rules particular to each baseball park (grounds) in which the game is played. Unlike the well defined playing field of most other sports, the playing area of a baseball field extends to an outfield fence in… …
7ground rules — UK / US noun [plural] the basic rules or principles that govern the way that something is done …
8ˈground ˌrules — noun [plural] the basic rules or principles that govern the way that something is done …
9ground rules — noun (plural) the basic rules or principles on which future actions or behaviour should be based …
10ground rule — ground rules N COUNT: usu pl, oft N for/of n The ground rules for something are the basic principles on which future action will be based. The panel says the ground rules for the current talks should be maintained …