work to rule

Although the meanings of the words in them do not make any sense when examined one by one, the word groups that are shaped according to the cultural roots of the language and that make sense as a whole are called idioms. work to rule meaning, in what situations is it used?

Meaning of "work to rule"

Meaning

The phrase “work to rule” refers to a type of protest by workers in which they deliberately follow all the rules and regulations of their job, to the letter, in order to cause their employer economic and reputational damage. The idea behind the protest is to impact the employer’s bottom line by slowing down production, thereby making it more difficult and more expensive to maintain the same production level.

Etymology

The phrase “work to rule” first appeared in print in the early 1970s, and its origin is unknown. The phrase has been used in several different contexts, but in the labor context it is often used to describe a particular form of protest by workers. The idea of working to the rules to cause disruption likely originated in the early 20th century labor movement, when striking was often prohibited or impractical.

Usage

Work to rule protests have been used by workers in a variety of settings, from offices and universities, to factories and hospitals. It is most often used when workers feel that their employer is not respecting their rights or treating them fairly. It is also used when other forms of protest may be difficult or even illegal, such as strikes. In this case, workers will take the protest to the employer in the form of slowing production or disrupting normal operations by adhering strictly to the rules of their job.

Example Sentences

• The factory workers are working to rule in order to protest the company's decision to reduce their benefits.
• The teachers decided to take a work to rule approach in order to demand higher pay.
• The hospital staff is using a work to rule strategy to highlight the dangerous working conditions they are facing.

Beyond the Literal: Figurative Language in Idioms

Idioms often use figurative language to convey a message that is not meant to be taken literally. For instance, the idiom "bite the bullet" means to endure a painful or difficult situation without complaint, while "hold your horses" means to be patient and wait. Other idioms, like "kick the bucket" or "pop your clogs," use euphemisms to talk about death.