paint by numbers
"Paint by numbers" originated as a popular hobby in the 1950s and has since become a common metaphor for lack of originality.
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Definition
A2Art
(hobby)A painting activity where an image is divided into numbered sections, each corresponding to a specific color to be filled in.
Example
- She enjoys relaxing with a paint by numbers kit on weekends.
- The paint by numbers set included all the colors needed to complete the picture.
B2General
(idiomatic, disapproving)A method or approach that is overly simplistic and lacks creativity.
Example
- His presentation was very paint by numbers, with no original ideas.
- Critics described the film as a paint by numbers thriller with predictable plot twists.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "paint by numbers":
color by numberfinger paintingpaint outpaint downmatter paintingpaint uppaint jobpaint shopoil paintinglight paintingbody paintingreverse paintingtrade paintglass paintingall-over paintingcolor outside the lines