The English We Speak
8 January 2013
Not rocket science
(Sound of a rocket being launched)
Kaz:
Hello, I'm Kaz.
Yang Li: And I'm Yang Li. Hey Kaz, why are we listening to this rocket launch?
Kaz:
Well, it's dramatic, but there's another reason. I thought it could introduce today's expression.
Yang Li: Tell me more.
Kaz:
The expression is 'It's not rocket science'.
Yang Li: 'It's not rocket science', meaning?
Kaz:
Something that's not complicated or difficult to understand – 'it's not rocket science'.
Yang Li: For example?
Kaz:
OK. Somebody can't get the television to work and asks you, "How do I switch this thing on?" You would say "It's not rocket science. Just press 'on'
on the handset".
Yang Li: So there's nothing complicated about it. You just press the 'on' switch and away you go. But is the expression 'it's not rocket science' only used for gadgets?
Kaz:
No, not at all, Li. In fact it's used for many situations that are just obviousâ€Åš for example – why are we always short of money?
Yang Li:
Well, it's not rocket science Kaz – we don't get paid enough!
Kaz:
Brilliant Li. That's an excellent example.
Yang Li: Yes, I like it too. But let's listen to some more examples: Examples
A: How do I cook this soup?
B: Come on Rob, it's not rocket science, all you have to do is open the tin and heat it up.
C: I can't understand why our company is in such a mess?
D: It's not rocket science to figure that out – there are too many managers!
The English We Speak
© British Broadcasting Corporation 2013
Page 1 of 2
bbclearningenglish.com
Yang Li:
OK Kaz, the phrase 'it's not rocket science' is used for situations that are obvious. But I get the feeling that the phrase 'it's not rocket science' is quite informal, right?
Kaz:
You're right Li. So please use with care!
Yang Li: Absolutely.
Kaz:
It's usually used with the negative 'It's not rocket science'.
Yang Li: Well, I'm sure of one thing Kaz.
Kaz:
What's that Li?
Yang Li: Presenting this programme is not exactly rocket science – it's easy!
Both:
Bye!
(Sound of a rocket being launched)
The English We Speak
© British Broadcasting Corporation 2013
Page 2 of 2
bbclearningenglish.com
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