a recipe for something Definition

recipe
noun

recipes
1. Directions for making something, especially for preparing and cooking food, usually consisting of a list of ingredients and instructions point-by-point. Also used as an adjective.

Example: recipe book
Thesaurus: instructions, directions, prescription, ingredients, procedure, method, system, technique, formula.

Idiom: a recipe for something

A method or means of achieving a desired end.
Example: a recipe for success

Etymology: 14c: Latin, originally meaning ‘take' or ‘take it' when written at the top of medical prescriptions, from recipere to take.