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plain
in plain English
In clear, straightforward, and uncomplicated English. Chronic atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries has stopped oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart, leading to a myocardial infarction. In plain English, you've suffered a heart attack. I wish these software agreements would be written in plain English, rather than this legalese gobbledygook.
in plain view
In full, unrestricted view; visibly, openly, or publicly. I can't believe you go outside in plain view of the neighbors with your bathrobe open! Law enforcement spends so much time and resources going after petty criminals, while all these white-collar crooks on Wall Street are swindling people for millions in plain view!
plain sailing
Smooth, uninterrupted, and/or easy progress, movement, or development. Now that we've gotten that problem figured out, the project should be plain sailing from here on! We've got about a 13-hour road trip ahead of us, but it looks like plain sailing for most of it.
make plain
To explain something clearly or make something obvious. I told him that I was going call the cops if he didn't make plain his intentions.
plain Jane
A female who is not considered physically attractive by societal standards. Betty always felt like she was a plain Jane, so she was very surprised when the most handsome boy in school asked her to be his prom date.
be as clear as day
To be easily visible and/or understandable. I wish these legal contracts were as clear as day so that there is no confusion. The sign is right there on the door—it's as clear as day.
be as plain as the nose on (one's) face
To be very obvious or noticeable. Those two have been flirting all afternoon—it's as plain as the nose on your face! In the end, the solution was as plain as the nose on my face.
*in plain language
and *in plain EnglishFig. in simple, clear, and straightforward language. (*Typically: be ~; put something [into] ~; say something ~; write something ~.) That's too confusing. Please say it again in plain English. Tell me again in plain language.
*plain as day
and *plain as a pikestaff 1. Cliché very plain and simple. (*Also: as ~.) Although his face was as plain as day, his smile made him look interesting and friendly. Fred: I have a suspicion that Marcia is upset with me. Alan: A suspicion? Come on, Fred, that's been plain as a pikestaff for quite some time! 2. and *plain as the nose On one's face Cliché clear and understandable. (*Also: as ~.) The lecture was as plain as day. No one had to ask questions. Jane: I don't understand why Professor Potter has been so friendly this week. Alan: It's plain as the nose on your face. He wants to be nominated for Professor of the Year.
pure and simple
and plain and simpleabsolutely; without further complication or elaboration. I told you what you must do, and you must do it, pure and simple. Will you kindly explain to me what it is, pure and simple, that I am expected to do? Just tell me plain and simple, do you intend to go or don't you?
(as) plain as day
easy to see or understand The secret to our success is as plain as day - make a good plan and stick to it. I looked at the list and there, plain as day, was my name on the list of winners.
Opposite of: (as) clear as mudpure and simple
plainly, and without having to say anything else
They closed the museum because, pure and simple, it cost too much to run. No one talked about issues or referred to facts - it was just gossip, pure and simple. Usage notes: sometimes used in the form purely and simply: It was purely and simply the most marvelous vacation.
be as clear/plain as day
to be obvious or easy to see She's in love with him - it's as plain as day.
a plain Jane
a woman or girl who is not attractive If she'd been a plain Jane, she wouldn't have had all the attention.
be as plain as the nose on your face
(old-fashioned) to be very obvious There's no doubt that he's interested in her. It's as plain as the nose on your face.
be plain sailing
to be very easy The roads were busy as we drove out of town but after that it was plain sailing all the way to the coast.
See be as clear as dayin plain English
In clear, straightforward language, as in
The doctor's diagnosis was too technical; please tell us what he meant in plain English. [c. 1500] Also see
in so many words.
plain as day
Also, plain as the nose on your face. Very obvious, quite clear, as in It's plain as day that they must sell their house before they can buy another, or It's plain as the nose on your face that she's lying. These similes have largely replaced the earlier plain as a packstaff or pikestaff, from the mid-1500s, alluding to the stick on which a peddler carried his wares over his shoulder. The first term, from the late 1800s, is probably a shortening of plain as the sun at midday; the variant dates from the late 1600s.
plain sailing
Easy going; straightforward, unobstructed progress. For example, The first few months were difficult, but I think it's plain sailing from here on. Alluding to navigating waters free of hazards, such as rocks or other obstructions, this term was transferred to other activities in the early 1800s.
pure and simple
No more and no less, plainly so, as in This so-called educational video is really a game, pure and simple. This expression is very nearly redundant, since pure and simple here mean "plain" and "unadorned." Oscar Wilde played on it in The Importance of Being Earnest (1895): "The truth is rarely pure and never simple." [Second half of 1800s]
pure and simple
mod. basically; essentially. Bart is a crook, pure and simple.