science

• Guinea pig

  A person or thing used as a subject for an experiment, test, or trial, often without their full understanding or consent of the potential risks.

• Lightning rod

  A person or thing that intentionally or unintentionally attracts and absorbs blame, criticism, or negative attention, thereby protecting others or diverting it from a broader issue.

• Rocket science

  A metaphorical term used to describe something that is extremely complicated, difficult to understand, or requires a very high level of intelligence.

• Go critical

  To reach a decisive, unstable, and often dangerous point where a self-sustaining process or chain reaction begins, often with serious consequences.

• Break the sound barrier

  To travel faster than the speed of sound, especially in an aircraft, or to achieve a significant breakthrough or overcome a major obstacle.

• Beyond the atmosphere

  Referring to the region of space located outside of Earth's protective layer of gases.

• Black hole

  A region of spacetime where gravity is so intense that nothing, not even light, can escape, often used metaphorically for a situation from which it is impossible to escape.

• Chain reaction

  A process in which one event triggers a series of similar events, each caused by the preceding one, often with significant or accelerating consequences.

• Doomsday clock

  The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic clock maintained by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, representing how close humanity is to a global catastrophe, with midnight signifying utter disaster.

• Cosmic dust

  Cosmic dust refers to microscopic particles of solid matter, typically ranging from a few molecules to 0.1 micrometers, that are suspended in outer space.

• Event horizon

  The event horizon is the theoretical boundary around a black hole beyond which no light or information can escape, making any event occurring there forever unobservable from the outside.

• Going critical

  To reach a crucial point where a situation becomes self-sustaining, irreversible, and often rapidly uncontrollable or dangerous.

• Going supernova

  To undergo a spectacular and often catastrophic collapse or outburst, typically after a period of intense activity or pressure.

• Gravitational pull

  The fundamental force of attraction that exists between all objects possessing mass in the universe, often used metaphorically to describe a strong, irresistible influence or attraction.

• In orbit

  To be circulating around something or someone, often under their influence or within their sphere of activity.

• It is not rocket science

  This phrase means that something is not complicated or difficult to understand or do.

• Light years ahead

  To be significantly more advanced, superior, or further developed than others.

• Meteor shower

  A celestial event during which numerous meteors are visible streaking across the night sky, appearing to radiate from a common point.

• Quantum leap

  A quantum leap is a sudden, significant, and dramatic advance or improvement.

• Lunar cycle

  The complete sequence of phases the Moon goes through, from new moon to new moon, which lasts approximately 29.5 days.

• Planet X

  Planet X refers to a hypothetical major planet or other celestial body beyond the orbit of Neptune, whose existence has been theorized to explain gravitational anomalies or other observed phenomena in the outer solar system.

• Race for space

  The "Race for space" describes the intense Cold War competition between the United States and the Soviet Union to achieve superiority in space exploration and technology.

• Rocket fuel

  Something that provides an incredibly powerful boost, energy, or impetus for rapid growth or success.

• Parallel universe

  A theoretical or fictional self-contained reality that co-exists alongside our own, often with different events or outcomes.

• Weightless

  Experiencing a state where one's apparent weight is zero, typically due to the absence of gravitational pull or being in freefall.

• Meltdown

  A complete and sudden emotional or physical collapse, or a catastrophic failure of a system.

• Critical mass

  The minimum amount of something required to start or sustain a particular process or effect.

• At light speed

  Moving or occurring with extreme rapidity, almost instantaneously.

• Beyond the stratosphere

  Signifying something that is extremely high, remote, or surpassing normal limits in an abstract or conceptual sense.

• Singularity point

  A singularity point is a location where a mathematical function or a physical entity becomes infinite, undefined, or breaks down the usual rules of its governing system.

• A giant leap for mankind

  This phrase describes an extremely significant and groundbreaking achievement that benefits all of humanity.

• Map the heavens

  To meticulously observe, chart, and understand the positions and movements of celestial objects in the night sky.

• In the stratosphere

  Reaching an extremely high level, often referring to prices, success, or an elevated state.

• White noise

  White noise is a random signal having equal intensity at different frequencies, giving it a static-like sound often used to mask other noises or aid concentration.

• Short circuit

  An electrical fault where current takes an unintended, low-resistance path, or metaphorically, a sudden mental breakdown.

• Patient zero of something

  The phrase refers to the first identified case of a disease or the primary source of an outbreak, and by extension, the initial point of origin for any trend, problem, or phenomenon.

• Operate on a theory

  To proceed with actions or decisions based on an unconfirmed idea or hypothesis rather than established facts.

• To be a guinea pig

  To be the subject of an experiment, test, or trial.

• Synergy

  The combined effect of two or more entities working together, which is greater than the sum of their individual effects.

• Paradigm shift

  A fundamental and often dramatic change in the way a particular field or society understands or approaches something, replacing an old way of thinking with a new one.

• Holistic approach

  A holistic approach means considering the complete system or entire situation, focusing on the interconnectedness of its parts rather than examining individual components in isolation.

• not rocket science

  Something is easy to understand or accomplish, requiring no special intelligence or complex skills.

• It's not rocket science.

  This phrase indicates that something is very simple and does not require exceptional intelligence or specialized knowledge.

• back-of-the-envelope calculation

  A back-of-the-envelope calculation is a quick, informal estimate, often done with minimal tools and information, to get a rough idea or approximate answer for a problem.

• Cold front

  A cold front is a weather phenomenon where a mass of colder air moves into and displaces an area of warmer air, often leading to sudden changes in weather.

• Freezing temperatures

  Temperatures that are at or below the freezing point of water, typically 0 degrees Celsius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

• A brainwave

  A sudden, brilliant idea or moment of inspiration.

• A breakthrough idea

  A novel concept or insight that significantly advances understanding or progress in a particular field.

• To galvanize

  To shock or excite someone into taking action, or to inspire a group of people to make significant changes.

• Butterfly effect

  The concept that a very small, localized change in a complex system can have large, unpredictable consequences elsewhere.

• Tipping point

  The critical moment when a small change or event causes a large, often irreversible, effect or a sudden, dramatic shift.

• Breakthrough moment

  A breakthrough moment is a specific point in time when a significant and often sudden advancement, discovery, or realization occurs, fundamentally changing the direction or outcome of something.

• blind spot

  An area of unawareness or a particular weakness in a person's character that they are not conscious of.

• Space race

  The Cold War-era competition between the United States and the Soviet Union to achieve superiority in spaceflight and exploration.

• Robotics

  Robotics is the interdisciplinary branch of engineering and science that deals with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots.

• Computer vision

  Computer vision is a field of artificial intelligence that trains computers to interpret and understand the visual world, much like humans do.

• Debris field

  An area scattered with numerous fragments of shattered or disintegrated objects.

• At the speed of light

  To move, happen, or perform with extreme and unimaginable swiftness, often referring to the fastest possible rate.

• Cognitive load

  Cognitive load refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in working memory at any given time.

• Crucible

  A crucible is a severe test or a situation that forces significant change or development.