- Something very easy to do.
Explanation
Origin
- Originated in the United States in the mid-20th century.
- The exact origin is unclear, but several theories exist.
- One relates to cakewalks in the 19th-century American South, where couples would promenade, and the most graceful pair would win a cake – the task itself (walking) was easy, and the prize was cake.
- Another simply relates to the physical ease of eating a piece of soft, sweet cake.
- It became popular during WWII among RAF pilots for an easy mission.
- Regardless, the association is pleasantness and ease.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Easy peasy (lemon squeezy) (Playful, somewhat childish)
- Dead easy (UK/Aus)
- Duck soup (Older slang, means easy)
- Like taking candy from a baby (Emphasizes extreme ease, sometimes with negative moral implications)
Milder/Standard:
- Simple
- Easy
- Straightforward
- Not difficult
- Manageable
Emphatic (about ease):
- Effortless
- Couldn't be easier
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal.
- Very common in everyday conversation.
- Generally avoid in highly formal settings or documents, where straightforward, simple, or easily accomplished would be more appropriate.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Very unlikely to be misunderstood, as it's one of the most common English idioms. Learners might initially picture literal cake, but the meaning is usually clear from context.
Examples
- Don't worry about the test; it'll be a piece of cake.
- Fixing the leaky faucet was a piece of cake.
- Compared to my last job, this is a piece of cake.
Dialogue
Student A: I'm really nervous about the presentation tomorrow.
Student B: Relax! We've practiced loads. It'll be a piece of cake.
Student A: You think so?
Student B: Definitely. We know the material inside out. Piece of cake!
Social Media Examples
- Post: Just assembled the new IKEA shelf! Instructions were actually clear for once. Piece of cake! #DIY #success
- Tweet: Thought this level was hard but once you figure out the pattern, it's a piece of cake. #gaming
- Comment: Wow, you make that recipe look like a piece of cake!
Response Patterns
When someone describes a task as a piece of cake:
- Agreement: Yeah, it looks pretty simple.
- Hopeful agreement: I hope you're right! / Good to hear!
- Skepticism (if disagreeing): Really? It looks complicated to me.
- Encouragement (if they are about to do it): Great! Go for it!
If someone asks if a task was difficult and you reply Piece of cake:
- Impressed reaction: Wow, you finished it already? / You make it sound easy!
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After someone says a future task will be a piece of cake:
- Expressing relief: Oh, thank goodness.
- Proceeding with the task confidently.
After someone says a completed task was a piece of cake:
- Asking how they did it: How did you manage it so easily?
- Moving on to the next step or topic.
Conversation Starter
- No.
- Used to describe the difficulty level of a task.
Intonation
- Stress usually on piece and cake.
- Often said with confidence, reassurance, or sometimes slight boastfulness.
- Oh, that? It's a PIECE of CAKE.
Generation Differences
- Extremely common and understood across all generations.
Regional Variations
- Universal across English-speaking regions.