How to describe martial arts to a normal person?

i just remembered this old convo i had once and it made me think. it was actually a good question and it was simply, "does that stuff actually work"?

i said "yes, but obviously it has to be applied correctly. i wouldn't do a drop kick on an enemy standing right next to me, for example. you learn to how to do everything in every situation so you can choose the best method to defend yourself with. and usually the easiest attack is the best one"

was my answer good, and how do you think you would describe martial arts to someone new to it, better?