blind man's rule: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / ObsoleteHistorical / Proverbial / Humorous
Quick answer
What does “blind man's rule” mean?
A proverbial rule or principle suggesting that even a person without proper knowledge or tools (a 'blind man') can achieve something, often by simple, repetitive trial and error or basic reasoning.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A proverbial rule or principle suggesting that even a person without proper knowledge or tools (a 'blind man') can achieve something, often by simple, repetitive trial and error or basic reasoning.
It can refer to any crude, practical method or heuristic used to solve a problem when precise tools or knowledge are lacking. Often used humorously or critically to describe a rough-and-ready approach.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally archaic in both varieties. No significant modern regional variation exists.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of rustic ingenuity or primitive methodology. May carry a slightly dismissive or humorous tone when used today.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency. Almost never encountered in contemporary speech or writing outside historical or etymological discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “blind man's rule” in a Sentence
to do X by blind man's ruleto use/appply the blind man's rule to YVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blind man's rule” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- It was a very blind-man's-rule approach to calibrating the device.
American English
- We used a blind-man's-rule method to estimate the distance.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Might appear in historical texts on navigation, carpentry, or early science to describe pre-modern techniques.
Everyday
Virtually never used. If used, it would be in a jocular, self-deprecating way: 'I assembled the furniture by blind man's rule.'
Technical
Could be referenced in histories of specific crafts or technologies (e.g., masonry, surveying).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “blind man's rule”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “blind man's rule”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blind man's rule”
- Using it as a standard term for 'rule of thumb' (it is far more obscure).
- Misspelling as 'blind mans rule' (missing the apostrophe).
- Assuming it is a modern, active term in technical fields.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic or historical term rarely used in modern English outside specific references to historical methods.
Only if you are writing about historical techniques or the etymology of 'rule of thumb.' Otherwise, it would be considered obscure and potentially confusing.
Potentially yes. The phrase uses 'blind' metaphorically for 'lacking knowledge.' As with many such historical phrases, modern sensitivity advises against its casual use, preferring terms like 'rough method' or 'heuristic.'
In old carpentry, a method for finding the centre of a circle by repeatedly bisecting chords through trial and error was sometimes called a 'blind man's rule' before the precise geometric method was commonly known.
A proverbial rule or principle suggesting that even a person without proper knowledge or tools (a 'blind man') can achieve something, often by simple, repetitive trial and error or basic reasoning.
Blind man's rule: in British English it is pronounced /ˌblaɪnd mænz ˈruːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌblaɪnd mænz ˈruːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “By guess and by God”
- “by hook or by crook”
- “in a hit-or-miss fashion”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a blindfolded person successfully feeling their way along a wall to reach a door—this captures the essence of achieving a goal through persistent, simple contact or trial, not sight or precise knowledge.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE IS LIGHT / IGNORANCE IS BLINDNESS. The 'blind man' metaphorically represents a lack of specific knowledge, and his 'rule' represents a physical, tactile, or repetitive action that substitutes for it.
Practice
Quiz
What is the closest modern synonym for 'blind man's rule' in most contexts?