Idiom
Bob's your uncle
Bob's your uncle means "and that's it" or "it's done": you say it after a few easy steps to show how simple something is.
How people use it
This is a cheerful British expression. People tack it onto the end of instructions: "Add the water, stir for a minute, and Bob's your uncle." It has nothing to do with anyone named Bob, and you do not need an uncle to use it. The tone is light and a little old-fashioned, so it suits casual talk, recipes and how-to videos. Americans usually understand it but rarely say it; they are more likely to say "and there you go" or "just like that."
Examples
- Plug in the router, wait for the green light, and Bob's your uncle, you're online.
- Fold the dough twice, pop it in the oven, and Bob's your uncle.
- Just fill in the form, attach a photo, and Bob's your uncle, your library card is ready.
Where it comes from
No one knows for sure where it comes from. A popular story points to 1887, when the British prime minister Robert Cecil, Lord Salisbury, gave his nephew Arthur Balfour an important government job, so having "Bob" as your uncle made life easy. The trouble is that the phrase does not show up in print until the 1920s or 1930s, decades later, which makes that link doubtful. Some researchers connect it instead to much older slang in which "bob" meant fine or safe.
Check yourself
1. A British coworker explains a task and finishes with "and Bob's your uncle." What does she mean?
Answer: That's all there is to it. Bob's your uncle signals that the steps are simple and the job is done.
2. Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Answer: Tap the button, enter your code, and Bob's your uncle.. The idiom comes at the end of easy steps, showing the result is quick and simple.
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