it's not rocket science

idiom

Meaning

It's not complicated

Origin

disputed origin

American, 1980s; rocket science became a byword for extreme difficulty during the post-WWII aerospace boom, when 'rocket scientist' meant the smartest of the smart.

Examples

SIMPLE

Cooking pasta is easy; it's not rocket science.

CONTEXTUAL

You just need to follow the instructions on the box because using this new coffee machine is not rocket science.

COMPLEX

While the project requires careful attention to detail, the manager reminded the team that the basic logic behind the software is not rocket science.

Last updated June 7, 2026