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simple

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in simple English

In clear, straightforward, and uncomplicated English terminology. Chronic atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries has stopped oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart, leading to a myocardial infarction. In simple English, you've suffered a heart attack. I wish these software agreements would be written in simple English, rather than this legalese gobbledygook.

See also: English, simple

simple English

Clear, straightforward, and uncomplicated English terminology. Chronic atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries has stopped oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart, leading to a myocardial infarction. In simple English, you've suffered a heart attack. I wish these software agreements would be written in simple English, rather than this legalese gobbledygook.

See also: English, simple

have a bad case of the simples

Rur. to be stupid. That boy has a bad case of the simples. He can't understand anything. She acts smart enough on the playground, but get her in the classroom and she has a bad case of the simples.

See also: bad, case, have, of, simple

pure and simple

 and plain and simple

absolutely; 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?

See also: and, pure, simple

pure 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.

See also: and, pure, simple

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]

See also: and, pure, simple

pure and simple

mod. basically; essentially. Bart is a crook, pure and simple.

See also: and, pure, simple