by numbers

idiom

: in a way that follows the rules or instructions but that is not interesting or original

Dancing by numbers isn't good enough. You have to really feel the music.

Examples of by numbers in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

In fact, as Basso sees it, fashion is no longer bound by numbers. —

Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 10 Sep. 2024 These maps show you which towns had the most winners, (for prizes of more than $599) by numbers of games won, total won and average amount won, using CT Lottery data. —

Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2024 According to British lingerie brand Katherine Hamilton, the band size refers to the size of your rib cage and is represented by numbers (32, 34, 36, etc.). —

Bebe Hodges, USA TODAY, 28 Apr. 2024 Publicly available polling shows Lake trailing Gallego, sometimes by numbers outside the margin of error. —

Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 6 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for by numbers