as plain as day

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as plain as day" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is very clear or obvious. Example: "The solution to the problem was as plain as day once we analyzed the data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"It's as plain as day.

The New York Times

"It is just as plain as day.

The Guardian

It's in the map as plain as day!

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It was as plain as day," Keith Richards once said.

The Guardian - Music

"The maturity level, obviously, is just as plain as day," Tubby Smith said.

The New York Times - Sports

When a plant puts out cones, this becomes as plain as day.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

The leisurely movie, which opens today at the Embassy 72d Street, is just as plain as a Saturday Evening Post illustration.

The New York Times

Second, announce how much he is prepared to contribute to repair the hole in the pension fund; the moral obligation to cough up looks as plain as it did on the day of BHS's collapse.

The Guardian - Business

"Isn't it heartening to see how far a girl as plain as she is can go?" Saturday Night Live (2010) While the extended "dusty muffin" sketch spread a double entendre paper thin, it was White's acidic opening monologue that stole the show.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It is as plain as English.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's as plain as that.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as plain as day" to emphasize the clarity and obviousness of a situation or fact, particularly when you want to express that something is easily understood by everyone.

Common error

Avoid using "as plain as day" in highly formal or technical contexts where a more precise or academic expression might be more appropriate. The idiom's informal tone might not suit every situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as plain as day" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe something that is very clear, obvious, or easily understood. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The expression "as plain as day" is a common idiom used to convey that something is unmistakably clear and obvious. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, predominantly in News & Media. While versatile, it's generally best suited for neutral or informal settings. To enhance your writing, consider using "as plain as day" to stress the ease of understanding, but avoid it in overly formal situations. For alternatives, phrases like "clear as crystal" or "easy to see" can serve as effective substitutes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clear as crystal

Replaces the metaphor with a different object to denote clarity, altering the imagery.

easy to see

Simplifies the idiom to a more literal description of something being easily noticeable.

obvious to everyone

Shifts the focus to the universality of the understanding, rather than the clarity itself.

evident to all

Uses a more formal term, 'evident', emphasizing the undeniable nature of the information.

impossible to miss

Highlights the prominence and inescapability of the information.

written all over it

Implies that the evidence is abundant and readily apparent.

sticks out a mile

Uses a more exaggerated idiom to emphasize the prominence.

out in the open

Suggests that the information is not hidden or concealed.

staring you in the face

Emphasizes the directness and inescapability of the obvious information.

can't be missed

Uses a double negative to affirm the obviousness, changing the tone slightly.

FAQs

What does "as plain as day" mean?

The phrase "as plain as day" means something is very clear and obvious, easy to understand or see.

How can I use "as plain as day" in a sentence?

You can use "as plain as day" to emphasize the clarity of a situation. For example: "The solution was "clear as crystal", it was "as plain as day"".

What are some alternatives to "as plain as day"?

Alternatives include "clear as crystal", "easy to see", or "obvious to everyone".

Is "as plain as day" formal or informal?

The phrase "as plain as day" is generally considered informal and is best suited for casual conversation or writing rather than formal or academic contexts.