brain candy

6.5

Fun TV shows or books that do not need much thought

noun
/breɪn ˈkændi/

Informal

: entretenimiento ligero

How how was that brain candy tour of of Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane?

Examples

Many people enjoy watching reality TV because they consider it brain candy, offering entertainment without requiring deep thinking.
"It's like brain candy all the time," he says.

Academic text (2008)
As it is, it's brain candy.

Blog text (27)
(I think Stephanie Meyer learned the trick early: mix your story with piss and you get candy, delicious brain candy...)

Blog text (27)
Reading light romance novels is her favorite way to indulge in brain candy during her downtime.
After a long work week, I like to relax with some brain candy like funny YouTube videos that don't require much concentration.

Synonyms

cheap thrill

vsbrain candy

Informal

5 4.1

A small exciting feeling you get from something that costs little

is about low intellectual demand rather than high excitement

Antonyms

learning

Formal

96 2.0

Wide knowledge gained by study in a subject like history

How Demanding

food

Informal

169 5.5

educational

443 2.7

entertainment

858 2.1

brain candy

Informal

6.5

Surface Forms

brain candy singular

brain candies plural

Morphology

brain + candy

The components 'brain' (mind/intelligence) and 'candy' (a sweet, indulgent treat) provide a clear clue that the expression refers to pleasurable mental input, so learners can infer it denotes enjoyable, light entertainment. However, the metaphorical extension that candy implies low intellectual nourishment or minimal effort is non-literal and may not be fully predictable to a B1 learner without prior exposure.

Etymology

Brain candy imagines sweet candy for the brain — a tasty treat that feels good but gives little real food for your mind. So, it means 'something enjoyable but not deep'.