elementary, my dear Watson UK /ˌɛlɪˈmɛnt(ə)ɹi maɪ dɪə ˈwɒtsn̩/US /ˌɛləˈmɛnt(ə)ɹi maɪ dɪɹ ˈwɑts(ə)n/ phrase1 •Used to emphasize that the speaker's deductive abilities are better than those of the listener.What have we for lunch? Stew? How did I know? Elementary, my dear Watson—the smell of onions is unmistakable. — 1922
