This document provides definitions and examples for common technology idioms: - "Break the mould" means to do something differently after a long period of doing it the same way. - "Blind someone with science" refers to explaining something in an overly complicated way to impress rather than help someone understand. - "Move with the times" means to change your ideas or behavior as situations change over time. - Additional idioms explained include "guinea pig", "once in a blue moon", "turn back the clock", "come down to earth", "reinvent the wheel", "doesn't take a rocket scientist", and "stand the test of time".

1. TECHNOLOGY IDIOMS

2. BREAK THE
MOULD
To do something differently, after it
has been done in the same way for
a long time.
She broke the mould by insisting
on becoming a doctor instead of a
nurse.
(Often + of) A new TV show is
about to be launched which aims to
break the mould of the usual
daytime programs.

3. BLIND SOMEONE
WITH SCIENCE
To explain something to
someone in a very
complicated way, in order to
impress them rather than
help them understand.
I think he decided to blind us
with science because he
didn’t want us asking any
difficult questions.

4. MOVE WITH THE
TIMES
To change your ideas or
behaviour as the world
or the situation
changes.
The legal system needs
to move with the times.

5. BE SOMEBODY’S
GUINEA PIG
If someone is used as a
guinea pig, new ideas or
products are tested on
them.
They’re looking for
volunteers to act as
guinea pigs for a new
AIDS vaccine.

6. ONCE IN A BLUE
MOON
Rarely, once in a very
long time.
We only see our
daughter once in a blue
moon.

7. TURN THE CLOCK
BACK
To try to return to the
past.
Let us turn back the
clock and pretend we
are living at the turn of
the century; the time
that our story takes
place.

8. COME DOWN TO
EARTH
To become realistic; to
become alert of what is
going on around one.
We came down to earth
with a bump when we
got back from our
holidays to find we had
a burst pipe.

9. REINVENT THE
WHEEL
Do something again, from
the beginning, especially in a
needless or inefficient effort.
You don’t need to reinvent
the wheel; read up on what
others have done.
Why reinvent the wheel when
there are drugs already on
the market which are
effective?

10. IT DOESN’T TAKE
A ROCKET
SCIENTIST
If you say that it doesn’t take
a rocket scientist to
understand or do something,
you mean that it’s obvious.
(usually to do + something).
It doesn’t take a rocket
scientist to figure out that if
you treat her well, she’ll be
happier.

11. STAND THE TEST
OF TIME
To continue to work well over a
long period of time.
Look for software that has stood
the test of time, not something
new and unproven.
To remain popular or respected
for a long time.
Very little drama from this period
has stood the test of time.

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