What is a good rule of thumb?
Christopher Harper
Updated on April 01, 2026
A rule of thumb is a guideline, idea, or principle that helps you make decisions. “Arrive early” is a good rule of thumb for most appointments. This term originally referred to builders who used their thumb to estimate measurements. The meaning broadened to mean any inexact but helpful rule.
What is rule of thumb example?
Frequency: The definition of a rule of thumb is a generally accepted guideline, policy or method of doing something based on practice rather than facts. An example of a rule of thumb is the general guideline that you don’t wear white after Labor Day.
What is the rule of thumb for sample size?
While determining sample size, it is usually recommended to include 20 to 30% of the population as a sample size in the form of a rule of thumb. If you take this much sample, it is usually acceptable.
Is the rule of thumb in the Bible?
In many places in the Bible, women have been put under the authority of men. Again in Genesis, speaking about women, the scripture said, “your desire will be for your husband and he will rule over you”. The acceptance by the court of the size stick to beat a woman led to what is called “the rule of thumb”.
What’s another way to say rule of thumb?
In this page you can discover 17 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for rule of thumb, like: general-principle, guideline, general guideline, approximation, estimate, pragmatism, trial-and-error, unwritten-rule, trial; standard, criterion and guidepost.
What is the rule of thumb method for weight?
An easy rule of thumb for estimating ideal body weight, consistent with findings of the Harvard study: — For women, 100 pounds for a height of 5 feet, with five additional pounds for each added inch of height. — For men, 106 pounds for a height of 5 feet, and six additional pounds for every added inch of height.
What is hitchhiker’s thumb?
Hitchhiker’s thumb is a thumb that’s hypermobile, or very flexible, and able to bend backward beyond the normal range of motion.
What is another word for rule of thumb?
In this page you can discover 17 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for rule of thumb, like: general-principle, guideline, general guideline, approximation, pragmatism, estimate, trial-and-error, unwritten-rule, trial; standard, criterion and guidepost.
What is the objective of Taylor’s science not rule of thumb?
Principle: SCIENCE, NOT RULE OF THUMB. In this principle, Taylor states that there must be thinking before doing i.e ‘Trail and Error Method’ or ‘Hit and Miss Method’ should be avoided, instead scientific and researched methods should be adopted for performing any activity.
Are rule of thumb useful in science?
A rule of thumb is an informal piece of practical advice providing simplified rules what apply in most situations. Rules of thumb are not scientific and do not take into account the individual circumstances and needs of a person, so they may not be applicable to your particular situation.
How do you use rule of thumb in a sentence?
Example Sentences
- As a rule of thumb, I do not start a new project on Fridays.
- A good rule of thumb is to add the ingredients when the water starts to boil.
- During our boot camp in the jungle, we used to drink a glass of water every two hours as a rule of thumb.
What is my ideal weight in kg?
Updated Equations for Ideal Weight
- Weight in pounds = 5 x BMI + (BMI divided by 5) x (Height in inches minus 60)
- Weight in kilograms = 2.2 x BMI + (3.5 x BMI) x (Height in meters minus 1.5)
How do I determine my ideal weight?
Measure your waist-to-height ratio To calculate the WtHR, a person should divide their waist size by their height. If the answer is 0.5 or less, the chances are that they have a healthy weight. A woman who is 5 feet and 4 inches tall (163 cm), should have a waist measurement below 32 inches (81 cm).
What is murderer’s thumb?
Stub thumbs or brachymegalodactylism, a term coined by Hefner (i924), refers to the condition of having an abnormally or disproportionately short thumb on one or both hands. This anomaly has been recognized for many years and among palm readers and fortune tellers it has been called ‘murderer’s thumbs’.