Idiom idiom
it's not rocket science
Meaning
It's not complicated
Examples
“Cooking pasta is easy; it's not rocket science.”
“You just need to follow the instructions on the box because using this new coffee machine is not rocket science.”
“While the project requires careful attention to detail, the manager reminded the team that the basic logic behind the software is not rocket science.”
Origin
disputed 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.
Last updated June 7, 2026