by the book
• strictly according to the rules.
• "a cop who doesn't exactly play it by the book"
Similar:
according to the rules,
in accordance with the rules,
within the law,
abiding by the law,
lawfully,
legally,
legitimately,
licitly,
honestly,
fairly,
openly,
on the level,
on the up and up,
fair and square,
on the books
• contained in a list of members, employees, or clients.
• "the club have six top foreign players on their books"
