bend/stretch the rules
idiom
: to change or ignore rules
We cannot bend/stretch the rules just for you.
Examples of bend/stretch the rules in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jonathan Kanfer, a West Palm Beach, Florida, agent, suspects names and lists of potential clients are being circulated to agents willing to bend the rules.
—
Tribune News Service, Boston Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
The media’s worst lapse: Refusing to identify Trump as a cult leader
ESPN knew Pat McAfee would bend the rules.
—Washington Post, 12 Jan. 2024
Reception for the game has been nothing short of positive as Balatro has been known to take up most of your free time, writes The Guardian, thanks to features like holographic, steel and gold versions of cards, and that fact that you're supposed to bend the rules.
—Alex Perry, The Enquirer, 26 Sep. 2024
But the bans aren’t always enforced, and students often find ways to bend the rules, like hiding phones on their laps.
—Stefanie Dazio, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bend/stretch the rules 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Tribune News Service, Boston Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
The media’s worst lapse: Refusing to identify Trump as a cult leader
ESPN knew Pat McAfee would bend the rules.
—Washington Post, 12 Jan. 2024
Reception for the game has been nothing short of positive as Balatro has been known to take up most of your free time, writes The Guardian, thanks to features like holographic, steel and gold versions of cards, and that fact that you're supposed to bend the rules.
—Alex Perry, The Enquirer, 26 Sep. 2024
But the bans aren’t always enforced, and students often find ways to bend the rules, like hiding phones on their laps.
—Stefanie Dazio, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bend/stretch the rules
Dictionary Entries Near bend/stretch the rules
Cite this Entry
“Bend/stretch the rules.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bend%2Fstretch%20the%20rules. Accessed 2 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share