by the numbers en · ADP
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
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.
Meanings
- (idiomatic) exactly, precisely, or in a formulaic way.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| by-the-numbers | alternative | lexicographic |