cut and dried

Etymology
1710, from herbs being cut and dried for sale, rather than fresh.

Adjective

 * 1) Simple, straightforward, clear, or certain.
 * 2) Decided, not open to change.
 * 3)  Lacking freshness or spontaneity.
 * 1) Decided, not open to change.
 * 2)  Lacking freshness or spontaneity.
 * 1)  Lacking freshness or spontaneity.
 * 1)  Lacking freshness or spontaneity.
 * 1)  Lacking freshness or spontaneity.

Usage notes
In formal usage, the form cut and dried is more common than, and the meaning is rather “settled” than “clear”, and mildly pejorative, following original usage and etymology. Sense of “clear, straightforward” may be influenced by, which may be preferred.

Collocations

 * cut-and-dried case
 * cut-and-dried affair
 * cut-and-dried answer
 * cut-and-dried story
 * cut-and-dried rule
 * cut-and-dried way
 * cut-and-dried scheme
 * cut-and-dried arrangement
 * cut-and-dried plan
 * cut-and-dried business
 * cut-and-dried explanation
 * cut-and-dried solution

Translations

 * German: ,
 * Greek: ευσαφής, ευσαφές
 * Serbo-Croatian:


 * German:, ,