A piece of cake
Meaning
Something that is very easy to do or accomplish.
Origin
The phrase "a piece of cake" first appeared in print in 1936, popularized by American poet and humorist Ogden Nash in his poem "Primrose Path," where he wrote, "Her picture's in the papers now, / And life's a piece of cake." In a world often filled with struggle, a piece of cake was a simple, universally desired treat, a small reward that required no effort beyond enjoyment. Thus, the expression became a vivid metaphor for something effortlessly easy, equating a task's simplicity to the pleasure of a sweet indulgence readily at hand.
Examples
- Don't worry about the exam; it's just a review of what we've learned, so it'll be a piece of cake.
- Building that elaborate LEGO castle wasn't a piece of cake, but the finished result was incredibly satisfying.