abide by

Related to abide by: account for

abide by

To obey something, usually an established rule. Because Donna refuses to abide by her parents' rules, I worry that she'll be told to move out of their house.
See also: abide, by
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

abide by something

to follow the rules of something; to obey someone's orders. John felt that he had to abide by his father's wishes.
See also: abide, by
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

abide by

Accept and act in accordance with a decision or set of rules; also, remain faithful to. For example, All members must agree to abide by the club regulations, or A trustworthy man abides by his word. An older sense of the verb abide, "remain," is still familiar in the well-known 19th-century hymn "Abide with Me," which asks God to stay with the singer in time of trouble. [Early 1500s]
See also: abide, by
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

abide by

To conform to; comply with: abide by the rules.
See also: abide, by
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • abide
  • get (one's) comeuppance
  • get comeuppance
  • the wherewithal for (something)
  • the wherewithal to (do something)
  • get lumps
  • get one’s lumps
  • get (one's) lumps
  • direct
  • direct (one's) attention to (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
I will work in harmony with the political parties there, abide by the Constitution and perform my duty honestly," Prasad told ANI.
Will work in harmony with parties, abide by Constitution: New Governor of Meghalaya
Chebib's office issued a statement calling on all "bars, restaurants, amusement parks, cafes and nightclubs within Beirut to abide by the contents of the joint decision by the Tourism and Interior ministries."
Beirut governor calls for compliance with noise laws
"Drivers should maintain a safe distance between vehicles, abide by speed limits and remain focused on the road to avoid dangerous traffic accidents," said a traffic officer.
Safety warning issued after fatal crash in Abu Dhabi
They ( RIL) will abide by that ( contractual obligations).
Moily says RIL to abide by audit obligations
"The Spanish government, while being committed to defending the rights of its nationals abroad, reiterates the need to abide by the law in force," the Spanish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Spain reiterates to nationals need to abide by law in force on Moroccan territory
The Future Movement bloc, led by Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, said Tuesday it is important for the Lebanese government to abide by UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and to reach a consensus regarding the bill on granting Palestinian refugees in the country socio-economic rights, the Beirut daily AN NAHAR reported Wednesday.
Lebanon-politics
The recent Meriden fiasco has got to reach the right conclusion for those who abide by the law or this country has spiralled totally out of control.
Bring in the army; YourSay
The ministry of Trade on Monday called merchants to abide by the new margin limits for wholesale and retail sales of blended Portland cement set in the executive decree of 22 July 2009.
Trade ministry calls for respect of new cement margin limits
Algiers, 24 August: The ministry of Trade on Monday called merchants to abide by the new margin limits for wholesale and retail sales of blended Portland cement set in the executive decree of 22 July 2009.
Algerian Trade ministry calls for respect of new cement margin limits
Asim has said that ministry of petroleum would abide by the Supreme Courts ruling over carbon tax.
Ministry to abide by SC decision regarding carbon tax: Dr. Asim
The law abiding majority not only do not abide by the law they also do not believe in the value of laws and rules, shrugging them off in pursuit of their interests and desires."
THE MORAL MAJORITY IS A MYTH; 6 in 10 middle class are cheats
Jodi Rell and the Connecticut legislature, the New London Development Corporation has apparently decided not to abide by a moratorium called for by both the Governor and legislature.
Developers break their word in eminent domain promise
"What we've heard from a lot of businesses is that these are standards that many of them abide by already.
New law clamps down on e-business, negative-option billing
"We are a religious organization that has a moral code that we abide by," said Larry Robertson, suffragan bishop of Mackenzie and Kitikmeot, explaining the synod's decision to amend its canon on the order and eligibility for licensing (Canon 18) by setting the same conditions for clergy and lay employees.
Arctic diocese bans gays from employment: bishop says church has 'moral code' to follow