paint-by-numbers


adjective

formulaic; showing no original thought or creativity

Word Origin for paint-by-numbers

C20: from children's painting books in which the colours to be used are identified by numbers on the design to be painted

Example sentences from the Web for paint-by-numbers

  • Many Republican wags, such as David Frum and Erick Erickson, are already onto the Boehner paint-by-numbers game of the “Pledge.”

    Paul Ryan Breaks Rank |John Batchelor |September 26, 2010 |DAILY BEAST