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a piece of cake
/ə piːs əv keɪk/◆idiom
very easy
The math test was a piece of cake for her.
The math test was very easy for her.
informal
Something that is very easy to do.
Fixing the printer was a piece of cake once you knew the trick.
Fixing the printer was very easy once you knew the trick.
Don't worry about the interview—it'll be a piece of cake.
Don't worry about the interview—it'll be very easy.
Commonly used in casual conversation to describe tasks or situations that require little effort.
Collocations
piece of cakeeasy task
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Usage Context
Use 'a piece of cake' to describe tasks that are simple or require little effort. It's best suited for informal conversations.
Gold Rule
Idiom vs. Literal Meaning
Never interpret 'a piece of cake' literally. It does not refer to actual cake but to the ease of a task.
Word Origin
The phrase likely originates from the idea that eating a piece of cake is an effortless and enjoyable task. It has been used in English since at least the mid-20th century.
Usage Notes
This idiom is informal and should be avoided in formal writing. It is widely understood in English-speaking countries.
Word Breakdown
a piece of
a portion of
phrasecake
a sweet baked food
nounEnglish Dictionary