Wordxplr

The meaning and origin of interesting English phrases

Simple as A-B-C

Meaning

This idiom describes something that is extremely easy to understand or do, requiring minimal effort or instruction.

Origin

The phrase draws its compelling power from the absolute foundational nature of the alphabet itself. For centuries, learning the A-B-C has been the very first, most fundamental step in education, the gateway to literacy and knowledge. Before one can read a single word or write a coherent sentence, the individual letters must be mastered. This universal and undeniable truth about learning, cemented in the minds of generations, transformed the simple act of reciting the alphabet into a powerful metaphor for anything utterly straightforward, requiring minimal effort or intellect to grasp.

Examples

  • Don't worry about setting up the new software; the instructions make it simple as A-B-C.
  • Once you understand the basic rules, solving this complicated puzzle becomes simple as A-B-C.
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