rocket surgery

English

Etymology

Mixed metaphor combining rocket science and brain surgery

Noun

rocket surgery (uncountable)

1. Anything overly complex, detailed or confusing.

   It's not rocket surgery. Just screw in the bulb and flip the switch.

Usage notes

• This phrase is usually used in a negative comparison to show that something is (or should be) simple, straightforward, or obvious.

Related terms

• rocket surgeon

Translations

anything overly complex

• Finnish: rakettitiede (fi)