learn by rote

Related to learn by rote: learn by heart

learn by rote

To use repetition to memorize something, as opposed to acquiring a full or robust comprehension of it. A noun or pronoun can be used between "learn" and "by." Learning by rote has been proven by many studies to be nearly useless in the long-term retention of information. There are so many characters in the Japanese alphabets that I have to learn them by rote.
See also: by, learn, rote
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

learn something by rote

Fig. to learn something by memorizing without giving any thought to what is being learned. I learned history by rote; then I couldn't pass the test that required me to think. If you learn things by rote, you'll never understand them.
See also: by, learn, rote
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • involve with
  • involve with (someone or something)
  • involved with
  • arrange for
  • arrange for some time
  • arrange some music for
  • back into
  • back into (someone or something)
  • add in
  • angle
References in periodicals archive
We have to stop these sentimental crackpots from presenting us with a picture of ordinary, normal children as put-upon martyrs, forced to learn by rote to pass exams and whose human rights are infringed by being made to sit quietly in a classroom and complete an exam.
Inane obsession with mollycoddling is failing pupils, and society; EDUCATION MATTERS NEVER MIND THE BULLOCK Plain speaking from ex-teacher Brenda Bullock
Then they had to learn by rote and sit up very straight as they got a quick taste of Victorian style lessons.
19th Century brought to life
Often in Graham now you're taught shapes, and people learn by rote based on the definition of all those shapes.
Teacher's wisdom: former Martha Graham dancer Marni Thomas, co-founder of the dance department at the University of California at Berkeley, spoke to writer Ann Murphy at the university's dance studios
As well, good range managers change the course--sometimes frequently--so shooters never learn by rote, just as in hunting.
Ruger's Gun Talk
The name game was dreamed up by Operation Raleigh volunteers to make classes more exciting for the pupils, who usually learn by rote.
MY NAME'S WILLIAM. I AM A WOMBAT; The caring Prince goes into a school to teach English to Chilean children and starts by explaining exactly what W stands for..
Disputing the belief that parrots only mimic sounds and learn by rote, Pepperberg says Alex can identify 50 objects, 7 colors, and 5 shapes, and understand abstract concepts like bigger, smaller, same, and different--proving that "animal intelligence is more widespread than we thought," she says.
Bird Brains