piece of cake

Definition

A job, task or other activity that is pleasant or, by extension, easy or simple.

Etymology

Attested since 1936, originally in American English. Possibly from cakewalk, or the notion of facility that derives from many cakes having agreeable tastes, and hence being ‘easy’ to consume. Compare French être du gâteau (literally “to be a cake”), être de la tarte (literally “to be a pie”), both meaning "to be easy, to be a piece of cake".

Example Sentences

• "Sure, no problem. It'll be a piece of cake."
• "Dennis's enthusiasm was difficult for Ryan to manage, but Javier's angsty Victorian-era man-pain is a piece of cake."