Take the 2-minute tour ×

Some concepts are just too difficult to be fully understood. Take for example the multivariate causes of the recent recession: who among us can honestly say that he or she grasps the situation completely? With respect to topics like this, although it is not possible to thoroughly grasp the concept, attempts can be made to elucidate--at least partially--the more mysterious parts.

Accordingly, is there a phrase that means, "To make less mysterious, but not explain completely because the concept is too difficult"?

share|improve this question

3 Answers 3

up vote 7 down vote accepted

You could shed light on it - it is more illuminated that it was before, but is not necessarily fully explained.

share|improve this answer
The context would have to make clear that you don't mean full illumination, though. In my experience, shed light on is used in a form of understatement to mean explain fully. –  Marthaª Jul 18 '11 at 16:00
@Martha: Perhaps a small qualifier, e.g., "She shed some light on the question." –  The Raven Jul 18 '11 at 16:02
Ahh, @The Raven's suggestion is perfect when coupled with your answer @alexg. Thank you both so much! –  karan.dodia Jul 18 '11 at 20:20

You could 'give someone the gist of' the concept, clarify it, or demystify it.

share|improve this answer
demystify in my mind implies complete clarification: remove mystery, as it were. –  Marthaª Jul 18 '11 at 16:41

You can give someone a "5000-foot view" of the subject, showing the "big picture" without going too far into confusing detail. You can also "put it in layman's terms", to explain a concept without jargon or other highly technical words. Such explanations are simple to grasp, but do not give the person all the knowledge that would be necessary to fully understand the concept.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer


