Etymology

do exactly what it says on the tin

Today it means: To do what is described or what one would expect, with no further explanation needed. Full definition →

First used 1994
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The story

From the sense of tin meaning a can, originally the slogan of an HHCL advertising campaign of UK television commercials for Ronseal Quick-Drying Woodseal.

First known use, by meaning

  • 1994 To do what is described or what one would expect, with no further explanation needed.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.