2rule verb
rules; ruled; rul·ing 1 : to have control and power over a country, area, group, etc. [no obj] ▪ The queen ruled for 25 years. ▪ A dynasty ruled over this region during the 11th century. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ After the overthrow of the government, chaos ruled. [=there was a lot of chaos] [+ obj] ▪ Who will be the next leader to rule the country? — sometimes used figuratively ▪ That summer, his band ruled the airwaves. 2 [+ obj] : to have great influence over (someone)
▪ Football ruled their lives. ▪ All of his actions were ruled by his religion. 3 : to make a legal decision about something [no obj] ▪ The court ruled in favor of the defendant. ▪ The jury ruled against the tobacco companies. ▪ How will the court rule on the motion? [+ obj] ▪ The Supreme Court ruled the law unconstitutional. ▪ The board ruled that her behavior was cheating. 4 not used in progressive tenses [no obj] slang : to be very good or popular — used to express strong admiration for someone or something ▪ That movie rules! [=that movie is great] ▪ Your new sneakers rule.
▪ Football ruled their lives. ▪ All of his actions were ruled by his religion.
divide and rule — see 1divide
rule out [phrasal verb] 1 rule (someone or something) out or rule out (someone or something) : to no longer consider (someone or something) as a possibility after careful thought or study
▪ The police ruled them out as suspects when it was proved that they were out of town when the crime was committed. ▪ There are some diseases your doctor will want to rule out before making a diagnosis. 2 rule (something) out or rule out (something) : to make (something) impossible : to prevent (something) from happening
▪ The bad weather ruled out a picnic. 3 rule (someone) out : to remove (someone) from a competition, contest, etc.
▪ He applied for the job, but his lack of experience quickly ruled him out. ▪ (chiefly Brit) She has been ruled out of today's game with a broken thumb.
▪ The police ruled them out as suspects when it was proved that they were out of town when the crime was committed. ▪ There are some diseases your doctor will want to rule out before making a diagnosis.
▪ The bad weather ruled out a picnic.
▪ He applied for the job, but his lack of experience quickly ruled him out. ▪ (chiefly Brit) She has been ruled out of today's game with a broken thumb.
rule the roost — see 1roost
rule with an iron fist/hand (chiefly US) or Brit rule with a rod of iron
: to rule a country, area, group, etc., in a very strict and often cruel way
▪ The dictator ruled (the island) with an iron fist.
▪ The dictator ruled (the island) with an iron fist.
