Idiom
no-brainer
Meanings
An obvious or very easy decision or choice.
Something extremely easy to understand or do.
Definition
A no-brainer is something that is very easy to decide or understand.
A no-brainer is a choice, decision, or answer that seems obvious and requires little or no thought. People use it when the best option is clear, or when something is extremely simple. It is common in casual conversation, especially in American English.
Examples
- Taking the higher salary was a no-brainer.
- With traffic this bad, the subway is a no-brainer.
- If you want to save money, cooking at home is a no-brainer.
- Choosing her as team lead was a no-brainer for everyone.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use no-brainer to mean “not smart,” but it means an easy or obvious decision, not a stupid person.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.