by the numbers
See also: by-the-numbers
English
Alternative forms
- by-the-numbers (as adjective)
Etymology
The origin of this phrase goes back to the American Revolutionary War where a book containing numbered positions for rifle and bayonet practice was used to train soldiers. In the book, each diagram was numbered.
Pronunciation
Audio (AU) (file)
Prepositional phrase
- (idiomatic) exactly, precisely, or in a formulaic way.
- Synonyms: by the book, by numbers
See also
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