The unequal scramble for coronavirus vaccines — by the numbers

[GoodTaste]

Does "by the numbers" mean "(the state of being unequal is reflected) by the numbers (such as the numbers of pre-ordered doses)"?

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The unequal scramble for coronavirus vaccines — by the numbers
Wealthy countries have already pre-ordered more than two billion doses.

Wealthy countries have struck deals to buy more than two billion doses of coronavirus vaccine in a scramble that could leave limited supplies in the coming year. Meanwhile, an international effort to acquire vaccines for low- and middle-income countries is struggling to gain traction.
Source: Nature 24 AUGUST 2020
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02450-x

 

[GoesStation]

Have you searched for the phrase "by the numbers"?

 

[GoodTaste]

it's defined as "in a way that is exactly according to the rules."

But Russian vaccine doesn't exactly follow the rules. Hence the thread.

 

[GoesStation]

Look for "by the numbers" in an English-only dictionary.

 

[GoodTaste]

That is exactly from an English-only dictionary.
Here's from Free Dictionary: by the numbers
Exactly as the rules, directions, or plans dictate.
If we all focus and do this by the numbers, then we should have no trouble getting it finished.
The military strike was executed perfectly and by the numbers.

The definition is as the same as that one already mentioned.

So the problem remains as it is.

 

[GoesStation]

it's defined as "in a way that is exactly according to the rules."

That's one definition, but it doesn't apply here. What else can you find?

 

[PeterCW]

That is exactly from an English-only dictionary.
Here's from Free Dictionary: by the numbers
Exactly as the rules, directions, or plans dictate.
If we all focus and do this by the numbers, then we should have no trouble getting it finished.
The military strike was executed perfectly and by the numbers.

The definition is as the same as that one already mentioned.

So the problem remains as it is.

Forget the idioms for a minute and look at the content of the article as a whole. Remember that the phrase is in a headline.

Clue: they are using the form of the idiom to attract your attention, not the dictionary definition.

 

[GoodTaste]

That's one definition, but it doesn't apply here. What else can you find?

OK. It simply refers to "step by step"...

 

[GoesStation]

OK. It simply refers to "step by step"...

No. It's a headline that means exactly what it says: This is a story about the unequal search for a coronavirus vaccine, with statistics included to support its conclusions.

 

[PeterCW]

The thing to remember about headlines is that they aren't written as part of the article. The editor, or a sub-editor, will compose something that is intended to grab your attention. Using an idiom as a play on words rather than as its accepted meaning is one technique that editors use and is one that I have used myself in the past.