skirt the rules

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "skirt the rules" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to bend or go around established rules or guidelines without technically breaking them. Example: Despite being warned not to, the wealthy business owner continued to skirt the rules, finding loopholes to avoid paying taxes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

"I try and skirt the rules," he said.

The New York Times

Runners have found several inventive ways to skirt the rules, if not parts of the course.

The New York Times - Sports

Steinbrenner also was not afraid to embrace technology — such as it was — to help him skirt the rules.

The New York Times - Sports

More-established market owners say that some new businesses skirt the rules or do not understand them.

The New York Times

With the connivance of some airlines desperate to fill unsold seats, travel agents would skirt the rules of the European airline cartel to sell discounted tickets.

The Economist

Mr. Kozlov, who is certified in lead-safe practices, said he expected some contractors to try and skirt the rules and undercut competitors.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

This was reportedly one of the things that pushed Google to go public in 2005, and this conversation was well-before Facebook came to a settlement with the SEC that allowed the company to skirt the rule about reporting numbers if a company has more than 500 individual shareholders.

TechCrunch

But doing so would require mustering the support of centrist Democrats in the House and the Senate who have expressed apprehensions about both the health care bill and the reconciliation process, which Republicans are portraying as an unfair parliamentary tactic to skirt the normal rules.

The New York Times - Health

But there is a lure to skirting the rules.

The New York Times - Sports

The report did not say whether any lenders appeared to have intentionally skirted the rules.

The New York Times

But to his credit, Prince Jigyel Ugyen is a stickler for skirting the rules legally.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "skirt the rules" when you want to convey that someone is operating within the boundaries of the rules, but only just, and perhaps in a way that is not entirely ethical but not explicitly illegal.

Common error

Avoid using "skirt the rules" when the intention is to express that someone directly violated a rule. "Skirting" implies a careful navigation around the rules, not a direct breach.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "skirt the rules" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a predicate in a sentence. It describes the action of avoiding direct violation of rules or regulations. As Ludwig highlights, the examples show this action often involves finding loopholes or ambiguities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Unknown/unmatched sources

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "skirt the rules" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase that signifies avoiding direct violation of rules or regulations, often through loopholes or clever maneuvering. According to Ludwig, the phrase is most frequently found in "News & Media". While technically compliant, the action often carries a negative connotation, suggesting unethical or questionable behavior. Alternatives include "evade the rules" or "dodge the rules". It's important to remember that "skirting the rules" is distinct from directly "breaking the rules".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skirt the regulations

A direct synonym, replacing "rules" with "regulations".

disregard the rules

Implies a more overt act of ignoring the rules, rather than subtly avoiding them.

ignore the rules

Similar to "disregard the rules", suggesting a conscious choice to not follow the rules.

dodge the rules

Suggests clever maneuvering to avoid the impact of the rules.

avoid the rules

A general term for keeping away from the rules, without specifying how.

shirk the rules

Emphasizes a neglect of responsibility regarding the rules.

evade the rules

Suggests using cunning or skill to escape the application of the rules.

fudge the rules

Implies manipulating the rules slightly to gain an advantage.

finesse the rules

Suggests skillful and subtle handling to avoid being constrained by the rules.

escape the rules

Implies getting free from the control or effect of the rules.

FAQs

What does "skirt the rules" mean?

The phrase "skirt the rules" means to avoid directly breaking a rule or law, often by finding loopholes or operating in a gray area. It implies a clever, sometimes unethical, way of achieving a goal without technically violating regulations.

How can I use "skirt the rules" in a sentence?

Example: "The company managed to increase its profits by "skirting the rules" regarding tax deductions."

What are some alternatives to "skirt the rules"?

You can use alternatives like "evade the rules", "sidestep the rules", or "dodge the rules" depending on the context.

Is there a negative connotation associated with the phrase "skirt the rules"?

Yes, "skirt the rules" typically has a negative connotation, suggesting that while the actions may not be illegal, they are likely unethical or at least questionable. It implies a lack of full transparency and a willingness to push boundaries.