Elamur: [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Parse](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/parse/) · **Dictionary** · [Translate](https://md.translate.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Research](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [MCP](https://mcp.elamur.ai/) · [Groupants](https://md.groupants.elamur.ai/free/en/)

[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/not-exactly-a-rocket-scientist/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [N](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/n/) / not exactly a rocket scientist

# not exactly a rocket scientist

idiom (noun phrase used after «be»: he's not exactly a rocket scientist)

«not exactly a rocket scientist» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

(euphemism, humorous) not clever; not very intelligent.

### In the lessons

People say it jokingly to call someone (or themselves) not clever, softening an insult with humour. Humorous and informal register, all English-speaking countries.

### Examples

- He's not exactly a rocket scientist, but he's a good friend.
- I'm not exactly a rocket scientist, so explain it slowly.
- Their striker is not exactly a rocket scientist — he scored in his own goal.
- You don't have to be a rocket scientist to switch the computer off and on again.
- The plan is simple; it's not exactly rocket science.
- My uncle is not exactly a rocket scientist, but he can fix any car.

### Note

Related: «it's not rocket science» = it is easy. Said about someone, it is still an insult, just a joking one. Plain words: not clever, stupid.