A piece of cake
/ə piːs əv keɪk/informalUK · US
What does “A piece of cake” mean?
A piece of cake means something that is very easy to do.
"A piece of cake" describes a task that turned out to be effortless. It is usually said about something already completed, or about something the speaker is confident about.
It is casual and slightly boastful, so it works best among friends and colleagues. In formal writing, "straightforward" is the neutral equivalent.
When do people say it?
Used after or before a task to say it required almost no effort.
“The exam was a piece of cake, I finished with an hour to spare.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: informal. It is most at home in everyday conversation rather than formal writing. Most common in UK and US.
Where does it come from?
Recorded in the 1930s, possibly from cakes given as prizes in easy competitions.
Origin confidence: Reasonably documented
How do you say “A piece of cake” in other languages?
Related idioms
- Cut corners, To skimp on quality to save time or money.
- Go the extra mile, To make an extra effort.
Last reviewed 2026-09-11