rule of thumb

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Applying that rule of thumb to a persistent $5- to $15-a-barrel Iran-related premium—roughly a 7% to 21% oil shock at current price levels—suggests a drag of about 0.1% to 0.4% on global output.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

Their rule of thumb is that a sustained 10% increase in oil boosts the inflation rate by 0.2 percentage points, and the core inflation rate by 0.04 points.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 12, 2026

When looking for a sweet spot to buy back into stocks, Nicholas Colas, co-founder of DataTrek, told MarketWatch that seeing the VIX close at 27.5 or above is as a solid rule of thumb.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 3, 2026

“My usual rule of thumb is, move the decimal point one place to the left,” Matheson said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

Is there a simple rule of thumb that distinguishes a group with real social authority from a group with little power at all?

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell