work to rule (noun)

1. In the science fiction novel, the workers organized a work to rule activity to protest against the oppressive rule of the robots.

2. During the worker strikes in the early 20th century, some labor unions resorted to work to rule tactics to exert pressure on the management.

3. In the fantasy realm, the magical beings utilized work to rule measures to bring attention to their mistreatment by the human inhabitants.

4. In the ancient mythology, the gods employed work to rule strategies to express their discontent with the mortal world.