Clear as crystal
Meaning
Extremely easy to understand or see; very evident and unambiguous.
Origin
From antiquity, humans have marvelled at the pristine transparency of rock crystal, a pure form of quartz. Valued for its ability to transmit light without distortion and its breathtaking clarity, crystal was seen as the epitome of purity and visual perfection. Ancient civilizations, from the Greeks to the Romans, often attributed mystical properties to these translucent stones, believing them to be frozen water or divine tears. As English developed, this inherent quality of crystal became the ultimate benchmark for anything remarkably lucid, whether describing the purity of water or the unambiguous nature of an explanation. The phrase solidified this ancient admiration into a vibrant idiom, drawing a direct, vivid comparison between the stone's physical transparency and intellectual or visual clarity.
Examples
- After the manager's thorough explanation, the new policy was clear as crystal to everyone on the team.
- The lake's water was so pristine and unpolluted that you could see the pebbles at the bottom, clear as crystal.