Wiktionary
vb. 1 (context literally English) To attempt to complete a puzzle in which dots on a paper must be connected in a specific order so that the joining lines form a picture. 2 (context by extension English) To make connections in one's mind, arriving at a more holistic understanding of a situation.
Wikipedia
Connect the dots (also known as dot to dot or join the dots) is a form of puzzle containing a sequence of numbered dots. When a line is drawn connecting the dots the outline of an object is revealed. The puzzles frequently contain simple line art to enhance the image created or to assist in rendering a complex section of the image. Connect the dots puzzles are generally created for children. The use of numbers can be replaced with letters or other symbols.
In adult discourse the phrase "connect the dots" can be used as a metaphor to illustrate an ability (or inability) to associate one idea with another, to find the "big picture", or salient feature, in a mass of data.
Reuven Feuerstein features the connection of dots as the first tool in his cognitive development program.
Connect the Dots is a 2010 album by singer-songwriter Stacy Clark.
Connect the dots is a form of puzzle containing a sequence of numbered dots.
Connect the Dots may also refer to:
- "Connect the Dots" (Rubicon), the fifth episode of Rubicon
- Connect the Dots (album), a 2010 album by singer-songwriter Stacy Clark
- Connect the Dots (song), a 2013 single by pop-punk band New Found Glory
"Connect the Dots" is a song written by American rock band New Found Glory, serving as a limited edition single from their first live album Kill It Live (2013). The single was released on September 10 via Violently Happy Records, a partnership between independent label Bridge Nine Records and the bands guitarist Chad Gilbert.
The single was announced in August and later released as a digital download on September 10, before a 7" vinyl limited to just 1,000 pressings across three variants on September 17. The single features title track "Connect the Dots" (one of three new studio recordings specifically for Kill It Live), as well as live recordings of "Truck Stop Blues" and "Better Off Dead", which were not included in the final cut of the full album. The band had performed two sold-out dates at the Chain Reaction music venue in Anaheim, California between March 27—28, 2013.
Usage examples of "connect the dots".
You'd never connect the dots unless you saw where all the dots were.
But when you connect the dots in that file we sent you, they form a very scary picture.
Then someone would place Larry Digger at the Stokes residence, connect the dots with his recent murder, and the story would gain real momentum.
Before they put you in the Human Milkshake, some functionary in a white smock would present you with a series of numbered dots on a piece of paper on a clipboard and you were supposed to take a pencil and connect the dots so that the numbers beside them added up to certain sums.
If Mooneyham can connect the dots and prove causation and liability, then there's a good chance the company will set up a national compensation plan.
I suppose it appeals to the conspiracy buff that most of us have tucked away somewhere inside ourselves, that Nosy Parker who likes to ferret out the secrets behind everything and then connect the dots.