VOCABULARY - IDIOMS

By the numbers

Meaning:

If you do something by the numbers, you are doing it in a strict, mechanical way, without using your imagination or creativity.

Examples:

  • I just never had the patience to go through it by the numbers.
  • The search was by the numbers.
  • We do it by the numbers.
  • OK, people, let's keep this clean and by the numbers.
  • We did everything by the numbers with the appraisal.
  • One step at a time, by the numbers, like we practiced.
  • I mean, we ided them by the numbers on their uniform.
  • Oh, I don't do anything by the numbers.
  • Maybe we do this by the numbers.
  • Regional averages were weighted by the numbers of live births.