paint-by-numbers

adjective

1. formulaic; showing no original thought or creativity

Word History and Origins

Origin of paint-by-numbers¹

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

Chauncey is the least of his problems, though, when what’s been structured around those moments feels like a paint-by-numbers exercise and not a true wade into terrifying waters.

From Los Angeles Times

Like a paint-by-numbers canvas, each region of the E-map is assigned a number.

From Science Daily

There are a handful of scenes that play out with similar details, but whether by different performance choices, or the addition of one of those musical numbers, this largely avoids being a paint-by-numbers retelling.

From Salon

Paint-by-numbers is more his speed, proven by his willingness anything to make a fast buck or explain his way out of a situation, making him simpatico with Cameo, the platform through which celebrities sell personalized videos to anyone willing to pay for them.

From Salon

He was undone partially by a crack team of federal prosecutors who laid out a clear, simple paint-by-numbers picture of his crimes for the jurors, but mostly by his own greed and arrogance.

From Los Angeles Times