by the numbers
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See also: by-the-numbers
English[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
- by-the-numbers (as adjective)
Etymology[edit]
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[edit]
Audio (AU) (file)
Prepositional phrase[edit]
- (idiomatic) exactly, precisely, or in a formulaic way.
- Synonyms: by the book, by numbers