Always do something as a personal principle or habit.
Her mornings used to be chaotic and stressful. But then she made it a rule to wake up thirty minutes earlier every day, giving herself time for coffee and a calm start. It completely changed her routine.
This meaning is about setting a personal habit you always follow. Imagine a manager who makes it a rule to reply to every email before leaving the office, no matter how busy the day gets. This is making it a rule — creating a principle you stick to. You might say “I make it a rule never to discuss politics at work” or “she makes it a rule to exercise every morning.” Or picture a family that makes it a rule to eat dinner together every night. The phrase carries a sense of discipline and consistency. ✏️ This isn’t about official rules — it’s about personal decisions you commit to following.
Vivid example: After years of feeling overwhelmed by his phone, he made it a rule to turn off all notifications after 9 PM. It was hard at first, but soon he was sleeping better. His friends quickly learned not to expect late-night replies.
Examples from the street:
“I make it a rule never to check my phone at the dinner table.” → I’ve set a personal principle for myself to never look at my mobile during meals
“She makes it a rule to go for a walk every morning before work.” → She’s established a daily habit of taking a stroll every day before heading to the office
“I make it a rule not to lend money to friends — it always causes problems.” → I’ve decided as a firm personal policy never to let friends borrow cash — it always ends badly
– make it a rule to [verb] → establish a personal habit or principle to always do something
– make it a rule not to [verb] → establish a personal habit or principle to never do something
– make it a rule never to [verb] → stronger version of the negative — emphasise you absolutely won’t do something
– I/she/he makes it a rule → describe someone’s established personal principle (present simple for habitual behaviour)
– I’ve made it a rule → describe a principle you adopted at some point and still follow (present perfect)
– make it a rule + always/never → commonly paired with “always” or “never” for emphasis
Example Sentences
1. I make it a rule to read for at least thirty minutes before bed every night
→ I’ve set myself a firm habit of spending a minimum of half an hour with a book each evening before I go to sleep.
2. She makes it a rule not to discuss politics at family dinners — it always ends in an argument
→ She’s established a personal principle of avoiding political conversations during meals with relatives — they always turn into fights.
3. He makes it a rule never to make important decisions when he’s angry or tired
→ He’s committed to a personal policy of never choosing anything major when he’s upset or exhausted.
4. We’ve made it a rule in our house that everyone eats together at least once a day
→ We’ve established a household agreement that the whole family shares a meal together at minimum once daily.
5. I make it a rule to always arrive ten minutes early for meetings — it makes a good impression
→ I have a personal policy of showing up a quarter of an hour ahead of schedule for appointments — it creates a positive image.
6. My parents made it a rule that we had to finish homework before watching television
→ My mum and dad established a strict household expectation that we had to complete all our school assignments before turning on the TV.
7. She makes it a rule to save at least 20% of her salary every month, no matter what
→ She follows a firm personal discipline of putting aside at least a fifth of her earnings every month regardless of circumstances.
8. I’ve made it a rule not to check work emails after 7pm — it was ruining my evenings
→ I’ve adopted a strict personal principle of not looking at professional messages past seven in the evening — they were destroying my free time.
9. He makes it a rule to always thank people by name — it makes them feel valued
→ He follows a deliberate habit of expressing gratitude while using people’s first names — it gives them a sense of being appreciated.
10. I make it a rule never to go food shopping when I’m hungry — I always buy too much
→ I’ve set a firm personal policy of never visiting the supermarket on an empty stomach — I end up picking up far more than I need.
Learner Examples
1. I make it a rule to learn at least five new English words every day and use each one in a sentence before the end of the week
→ I follow a strict personal habit of picking up a minimum of five fresh English terms daily and putting every single one into a spoken or written phrase by the weekend.
2. A good teacher makes it a rule to give feedback that highlights what students did well before pointing out what needs improving
→ An effective instructor follows a firm principle of always commenting on what learners succeeded at before drawing attention to areas that still need work.
✔ Native usage tips
– “Make it a rule” sounds disciplined and deliberate — it positions the speaker as someone who has thought about their life and set clear personal standards. “I make it a rule to exercise every morning” sounds more purposeful and structured than “I try to exercise every morning,” which sounds hopeful but uncertain
– It’s about personal principles, not official regulations — “make it a rule” describes self-imposed habits or guidelines, not laws or workplace policies. A company “sets rules”; a person “makes it a rule.” The phrase always implies personal choice and self-discipline
– Almost always followed by “to” + infinitive or “not to” / “never to” — the structure is very fixed. “I make it a rule to be on time” or “I make it a rule not to gossip.” You wouldn’t say “I make it a rule being on time” — the infinitive is mandatory
– Very popular in self-help, interviews, and advice contexts — successful people are often quoted saying things like “I make it a rule to start every day with gratitude” or “I’ve made it a rule never to say yes immediately.” It’s a favourite phrase for sharing life wisdom and personal strategies
– “Make it a rule” vs “make a point of” — both describe deliberate, consistent behaviour, but “make it a rule” sounds like a fixed policy you never break, while “make a point of” sounds like something you consciously prioritise each time. “I make it a rule to exercise” implies a non-negotiable habit; “I make a point of exercising” implies a conscious, repeated choice
– Often paired with life advice about boundaries — native speakers frequently use “make it a rule” when sharing personal boundaries: “I make it a rule not to take work home,” “I make it a rule never to lend more than I can afford to lose.” It’s the phrase people reach for when describing where they draw the line
✔ Similar expressions / words
– Make a point of → the closest alternative; slightly softer and more about conscious effort than strict policy; “I make a point of calling my parents weekly” suggests dedicated effort, while “I make it a rule to call my parents weekly” suggests an unbreakable commitment
– Have a policy of → more formal and business-like; sounds more official than personal; “I have a policy of not discussing salary with colleagues” sounds corporate, while “I make it a rule not to discuss salary” sounds like a personal life principle
– Always make sure to → the most casual, everyday equivalent; lacks the sense of personal discipline; “I always make sure to drink enough water” is simple and practical, while “I make it a rule to drink enough water” elevates it to a deliberate personal standard