science
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Related to science: Science journal
the dismal science
A disparaging term for the discipline of economics, coined in 1849 by Scottish historian Thomas Carlyle as a label for the school of economists who supported the abolition of slavery. Economists have predicted that the exponential population growth will eventually cause our entire society to collapse in on itself—I suppose that is why they are known as practitioners of the dismal science.
See also: 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.
rocket science
A pursuit, activity, or endeavor that requires extraordinary skill or intelligence. Most often used in the negative to imply the opposite. Look, all you need to do is reformat the hard drive on your computer. It isn't rocket science! I thought it would be simple enough to fix the car's engine on my own, but this turned out to be like rocket science to me!
blind (one) with science
To use technical terms or scientific jargon that the listener does not understand. As you plan your talk, be careful not to blind the audience with science.
have (something) down to a science
To learn, master, or understand something perfectly, to the point of requiring little or no focus to do, recall, or accomplish it. I had my routine down to a science so there wouldn't be any room for error during the performance. I'm a working mom of three, so I have lunch-making down to a science—I put out all the pieces of bread, add jelly to each one, and then do the same with peanut butter.
get (something) down to a science
To learn, master, or understand something perfectly, to the point of requiring little or no focus to do, recall, or accomplish it. I got my routine down to a science so there wouldn't be any room for error during the performance. I'm a working mom of three, so I've got lunch-making down to a science—I put out all the pieces of bread, add jelly to each one, and then do the same with peanut butter.
got (something) down to a science
To learn, master, or understand something perfectly, to the point of requiring little or no focus to do, recall, or accomplish it. Once I get my routine down to a science, I know I'll start to feel more comfortable at my new job. I'm a working mom of three, so I've got lunch-making down to a science—I put out all the pieces of bread, add jelly to each one, and then do the same with peanut butter.
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.
blind someone with science
If someone blinds you with science, they tell you about something in a complicated, technical way so that you find it hard to understand. We want facts and figures but don't want to be blinded by science. I must admit that as a teenage, amateur photographer I learned all the technical jargon so I could impress people by blinding them with science.