plain as day

USAGE SUMMARY

"plain as day" is a commonly used idiom in formal and informal writing.
It means that something is very easy to understand or see. Example: The answer was plain as day; I just hadn't seen it before.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"It's plain as day.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's as plain as day.

The New York Times

"It is just as plain as day.

The Guardian

It's all right out there plain as day".

The New York Times - Style

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

The Guardian - Music

But the art is there, plain as day.

The New York Times - Arts

A bottle of Beefeater was missing, plain as day.

The Guardian - Books

But the art is there in his pictures, rough and plain as day.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Thomson sets the words with a deft balance of whimsy and tenderness, fracturing the phrases with oddball ellipses and sudden shifts in a way that makes his plain-as-day tonal language seem discombobulating.

The New York Times - Arts

It was bad enough that Sen. Clinton signed on to the plain-as-day-pander to suspend the 18 cent-per-gallon federal gas tax for the summer months, but her continued allegiance to an idea that has been universally (except for her and Sen. McCain) derided offers a couple disturbing insights.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plain as day" to emphasize that something is extremely obvious and easy to understand, making your communication more impactful. For example, "The solution was plain as day, but we overlooked it."

Common error

Avoid using "plain as day" when the situation requires a more nuanced or subtle understanding. The phrase is best reserved for situations where the clarity is absolute and undeniable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plain as day" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, emphasizing the obviousness or clarity of something. As seen in Ludwig, it's often used to highlight that something is easily understood or apparent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "plain as day" is a common adjective phrase used to describe something that is very obvious and easy to understand. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's frequently found in news and media contexts. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, it's less common in highly formal or scientific writing. Alternatives such as "crystal clear" or "evident" can be used to achieve a similar effect. When using "plain as day", ensure it's appropriate for the context and that the clarity you're describing is truly undeniable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crystal clear

Emphasizes the transparency and ease of understanding, similar to seeing something without any obstruction.

clear as a bell

Highlights the clarity and distinctness of something, making it easily noticeable and understandable.

obvious

A straightforward term indicating that something is easily perceived or understood without needing explanation.

evident

Indicates that something is easily seen or understood, often based on evidence or observation.

apparent

Suggests that something is easily noticeable or understood upon first glance.

easily seen

Focuses on the visual aspect of being clear, suggesting that something is readily visible and understandable.

patent

Implies that something is openly and obviously true or evident.

unmistakable

Emphasizes that something cannot be confused or misunderstood due to its clarity.

self-evident

Highlights that something is obvious without needing proof or explanation.

beyond doubt

Indicates that something is certain and clear, leaving no room for uncertainty or questioning.

FAQs

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

You can use "plain as day" to emphasize that something is very obvious or easy to understand. For example, "The answer was "plain as day" once he explained it carefully."

What's a good alternative to "plain as day"?

Alternatives to "plain as day" include "crystal clear", "obvious", or "evident", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "plain as day" in formal writing?

While "plain as day" is more common in informal contexts, it can be used in formal writing if the tone is appropriate and the goal is to emphasize the obviousness of a point. However, consider using alternatives like "evident" or "clear" for a more professional tone.

What does "plain as day" mean?

"Plain as day" means that something is very easy to see or understand. It suggests that the information is so clear that it cannot be missed or misunderstood.