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

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But Driscoll said that every school has qualities that can't be captured by numbers alone. —

Cleo Krejci, Journal Sentinel, 27 Dec. 2024 In a new body of work on view at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University in Raleigh, N.C., Roland has transformed these ID numbers from wrongfully incarcerated individuals in North Carolina into numeric portraits–people as represented by numbers. —

Chadd Scott, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024 Meanwhile, budding artists can paint by numbers with this under-$20 Arteza paint by numbers canvas set. —

Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 8 Oct. 2024 In fact, as Basso sees it, fashion is no longer bound by numbers. —

Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 10 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for by numbers