What does the idiom "It\'s not rocket science" mean?

You are wondering about the meaning of the phrase It\'s not rocket science, maybe you heard it in a TV show, movie or theater play. Although this idiom is not used very often, it enriches your capacity of expression and strengthens communication. In which case is the expression It\'s not rocket science used and what is its meaning?

Meaning of "It\'s not rocket science"

Meaning

The idiom 'It's not rocket science' is typically used to express the idea that something is not difficult to understand or do. It suggests that the task or concept in question requires no special training or expertise—what is needed for success amounts to no more than common sense.

Etymology

The origins of the expression ‘It’s not rocket science’ are unclear. It is likely a modern variation on the saying 'It's not brain surgery', which dates back to the mid-twentieth century. This idiom was likely inspired by the fact that brain surgery is a very precise and difficult medical procedure that requires great skill and intense concentration to perform. Similarly, rocket science is both precise and difficult, as it requires knowledge of physics and mathematics to design, build, and launch rocket-propelled objects. Interestingly, while 'It's not brain surgery' is still used today, 'It's not rocket science' has become far more popular and is used in a variety of contexts.

Usage

'It's not rocket science' is a common phrase used casually in conversation by people of all age groups. It is frequently used in a humorous manner, often when one is attempting to make a point about a subject that is not particularly difficult to understand or to do. The phrase can also be used in a sarcastic way, as a way to imply that someone should have been able to figure out something without assistance or extra explanation.

Example Sentences

  • “Figuring out how to work the remote isn't rocket science, you know.”
  • “You don't need to be a scientist to understand the concept—it's not rocket science.”
  • “You don't need me to explain it, it's not rocket science after all.”

The meanings of the words in the "It\'s not rocket science" idiom

The Global Spread of English Idioms

As English has become a global language, its idioms have spread far beyond the borders of the UK and USA. For instance, the idiom "beat around the bush" has equivalents in many other languages, such as "tourner autour du pot" in French and "dar vueltas al asunto" in Spanish. Meanwhile, other idioms have been adapted for local contexts, such as the Russian idiom "?? ???? ???????" (ne svoya rubashka), which translates to "not one's own shirt," meaning to be in an uncomfortable or unfamiliar situation.

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