sherlock

Everyday

1. (a name) Sherlock Holmes is a famous fictional detective in stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, who solves crimes by careful noticing and logical thinking. tree →
2. (informal) A person who is good at finding things out: "Well done, Sherlock!" tree →
3. (informal, sarcastic) Said to someone who has just stated something obvious: "No kidding, Sherlock!" (a ruder version uses a swear word). tree →

In the lessons

In English lessons, Sherlock Holmes stories are classic mysteries; he lives at 221B Baker Street in London with his friend Dr Watson. In everyday life, "Sherlock" is a jokey name for anyone acting like a detective, often sarcastically. In logic puzzles, thinking "like Sherlock" means using clues step by step. Phrases: Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock and Watson, no kidding Sherlock.

Examples

• Sherlock Holmes lived at 221B Baker Street. tree →
• "It's raining." "Well spotted, Sherlock!" tree →
• My sister played Sherlock and found my hidden chocolate. tree →
• Sherlock solves crimes by noticing small clues. tree →
• Dr Watson helps Sherlock on his cases. tree →
• Let's be Sherlocks and work out who took the cake. tree →

Note

A name, so capital S. Holmes's famous line "Elementary, my dear Watson" does not actually appear in the original books. The sarcastic "Sherlock" can sound rude.