by the numbers
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