is a piece of cake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is a piece of cake" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is easily done or can be accomplished with minimal effort. For example, "Completing my college application was a piece of cake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Damning taxes is a piece of cake.

The New Yorker

For the sleek Cariocas, this is a piece of cake.

The New York Times - Travel

But that pain is a piece of cake.

The New York Times

"This is a piece of cake," he said.

The New York Times

For Mr. Freeman, playing God is a piece of cake.

The New York Times

"Speaking about business is a piece of cake," she said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

"Now, it's a piece of cake".

The New York Times

"It's a piece of cake.

The New Yorker

This'll be a piece of cake.

The Guardian - Film

This would be a piece of cake.

The New York Times

Exposing them should be a piece of cake.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is a piece of cake" to convey that a task or activity is particularly easy or straightforward. It adds a touch of informal, relatable language to your writing.

Common error

While "is a piece of cake" is perfectly acceptable in casual conversation, be mindful of its use in formal writing. Overusing idioms can make your writing sound unprofessional. Opt for more formal alternatives like "is easily accomplished" in business reports or academic papers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is a piece of cake" serves as an idiomatic expression to denote that something is easily achievable or simple to accomplish. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples illustrate its use across various contexts to emphasize ease.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "is a piece of cake" is a common and correct English phrase used to describe something that is very easy to do, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's most frequently found in News & Media, but also appears in Wiki and Business contexts. While versatile, it maintains an informal tone, so consider your audience. For formal writing, alternatives like "is easily accomplished" might be more appropriate. Ludwig's analysis, combined with numerous real-world examples, solidifies its place as a simple yet effective way to communicate ease.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is a breeze

Replaces "piece of cake" with "breeze" maintaining the sense of ease.

is easy as pie

Uses a different food metaphor ("pie") to convey the same meaning of simplicity.

is a cinch

Substitutes with "cinch", a synonym for something easily accomplished.

is a snap

Employs "snap" to indicate how quickly and effortlessly something can be done.

is child's play

Highlights the simplicity by comparing it to something a child can do.

is no sweat

Indicates the task requires minimal effort or worry.

is a walk in the park

Uses the metaphor of a leisurely stroll to describe an easy task.

is easily done

A more literal and straightforward way of saying something is easy.

is simple

Expresses the straightforward nature of a task without idiomatic flair.

is undemanding

Implies that the task requires little effort or skill.

FAQs

How can I use "is a piece of cake" in a sentence?

You can use "is a piece of cake" to describe a task or activity that is very easy to do. For example, "Once you learn the basics, coding becomes "a piece of cake"".

What can I say instead of "is a piece of cake"?

You can use alternatives like "is a breeze", "is easy as pie", or "is child's play" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "is a piece of cake"?

It's appropriate to use "is a piece of cake" in informal or casual settings. Avoid using it in formal writing, such as academic papers or business reports, where more professional language is preferred.

What does the idiom "is a piece of cake" mean?

The idiom "is a piece of cake" means that something is very easy or simple to do. It's a figurative expression suggesting the task requires minimal effort.