not rocket science

be not rocket science

To not be a pursuit, activity, or endeavor that requires extraordinary skill or intelligence. Look, all you need to do is reformat the hard drive on your computer. It isn't rocket science! Sure, it took a little bit of time to figure out, but reinstalling the modem wasn't rocket science or anything.
See also: not, rocket, science
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

not rocket science

If you say that something isn't rocket science, you mean that it is easy or obvious. It isn't rocket science to figure out that you will sell more sweets if you put them where small children will see them. People should be able to fill in the forms themselves — this isn't rocket science. Note: You can use expressions such as it doesn't take or you don't have to be a rocket scientist to point out that something is very easy or obvious. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why he's so angry. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to work it out. Note: The expression rocket scientist, meaning `very clever person', is used in various other structures. Now I'm no rocket scientist, but even I could see those figures looked way too high.
See also: not, rocket, science
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

not rocket science

used to indicate that something is not very difficult to understand. humorous
See also: not, rocket, science
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • be not rocket science
  • it's not rocket science
  • science
  • rocket science
  • on the leading edge
  • on the bleeding edge
  • bleeding edge
  • go for (the) gold
  • leading edge
  • go (to) it
References in periodicals archive
It's not rocket science, so please Scotrail do something about it and at least make visitors arriving by rail in Aberdeen feel as though they are still on the same planet.
Josh Morrill And the Labour-controlled council close tip to vans etc and reduce hours, so not rocket science is it?
The scale of fly tipping on a Welsh mountainside keeps getting worse AND the Labour-controlled council close tip to vans etc and reduce hours, so not rocket science is it?
Bin collections are not rocket science OUR recycling bins were missed on Monday along with two other roads.
Be a good Sport, Mike | |Having read Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley's comments about online firms leading to the decline of the high street (Mirror, Dec 4), it's not rocket science. I have been of the same opinion for years, but nothing has been done to save our town centres.
It's not rocket science, keep the treats for weekends/occasions." Paul Robinson
best comedy no doubt that Steve of the bravest blokes He has come with weird creatures TV career, into places the I WANT MY WIFE BACK (BBC1, Monday, 9.30pm) BEN MILLER, the former Death in Paradise star, recently returned to his scientific roots to present ITV series It's Not Rocket Science, but he is now back on the BBC with new sitcom I Want My Wife Back about a man desperately trying to stay out of the divorce court.
He has best comedy I WANT MY WIFE BACK (BBC1, Monday, 9.30pm) BEN MILLER, the former Death in Paradise star, recently returned to his scientific roots to present ITV series It's Not Rocket Science, but he is now back on the BBC with new sitcom I Want My Wife Back about a man desperately trying to stay out of the divorce court.
It's Not Rocket Science ITV, 8pm ENTERTAINMENT Ben Miller (left) risks his life for science as he has a flaming crossbow bolt fired at his head - gulp!
Since abandoning his PhD in Physics at Cambridge for a career in comedy Ben has turned to writing, and is the author of popular science books It's Not Rocket Science and The Aliens Are Coming.
And Clare looks for comfort in the wrong places NEW It's Not Rocket Science. ITV, 8pm We can only hope actor Ben Miller, comedian Romesh Ranganathan and presenter Rachel Riley have taken out hefty life insurance as they take part in hair-raising experiments to showcase how science and technology work.
Steve McClaren has once again remained coy on whether a striker will arrive at Newcastle United this month, but he accepts that the Magpies' lack of potency is costing them, stating: "It's not rocket science."
It's not rocket science and it's nothing to do with the weather.
It's not rocket science and that quality needs to improve.
It's not rocket science. If you can't do the job, then please don't bother!