IdiomThe Absurd
English
Englishit doesn't take a rocket scientist
Meaning: Something is easy to understand; no special intelligence is needed.
Example: “It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see why the plant died: nobody watered it.”
Origin: Rocket science became a byword for difficult work during the space race. The phrase is recorded from the 1980s, and "it's not rocket science" is a close relative.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Ne pas être grand clerc Literally: Not to be a great clerk- French: Pas besoin de sortir de Saint-Cyr Literally: No need to have graduated from Saint-Cyr
More English idioms
- do a moonlight flit To leave one's home secretly at night, usually to avoid paying rent or debts.
- pipped at the post To be beaten at the very last moment.
- twiddle one's thumbs To do nothing while waiting or out of boredom.
- a nest of vipers A group of people who scheme against or betray each other.
- I could eat a horse I am extremely hungry.
- give someone a leg up To help someone make progress or get started.
Explore another collection: False Friends
Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.
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