English idiom

not rocket science

Register · Informal CEFR B1

Post

Figurative meaning

not difficult to understand or do

Why this phrase?

Rocket science as the peak of difficulty; anything easier doesn't qualify.

Example

“It's not rocket science — the query plan is right there in the explain output.”

Dictionary details

Alternate forms

not brain surgery

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

a piece of cake

Something that is very easy to do.

back to basics

returning to the simple, fundamental principles of an activity

get the picture

to understand a situation, especially after an explanation

on the same page

In agreement or sharing the same understanding.

on the same wavelength

thinking and understanding in the same way; in agreement

ring a bell

to sound familiar or remind you of something

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

markdown