Cakewalk

Meaning

The idiom "cakewalk" refers to a task or activity that is easy, effortless, or simple. It can also imply a sense of confidence or overconfidence in one's ability to complete a task.

Usage

• "I thought the presentation would be a cakewalk, but I ended up struggling with my nerves." (The speaker initially believed the presentation would be easy, but they struggled with anxiety.)
• "He made it look like a cakewalk, but I know he put in a lot of hard work behind the scenes." (The speaker observed that someone else made a task seem effortless, but they knew the person had worked hard.)
• "I was so confident going into this exam, but it turned out to be a cakewalk and I didn't study enough." (The speaker was overconfident in their ability to do well on an exam, but they realized later that they hadn't studied enough.)
• "The hike was supposed to be a cakewalk, but we ended up getting lost and lost our way for hours." (The speaker had planned for an easy hike, but they got lost and it took them much longer than expected.)
• "She makes cooking look like a cakewalk, but I know she's always in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes." (The speaker observes that someone makes cooking seem effortless, but they know the person is always experimenting with new dishes.)

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom "cakewalk" is unclear. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first recorded use of the term was in 1902, when it was used in a play called "Elephant Boys." However, there are many theories about where the idiom comes from, including that it refers to the easy-to-walk steps on a cake, or that it's derived from the phrase "make a cake out of" meaning to ruin something. Over time, the idiom has evolved slightly in usage, with some people using it to imply a sense of confidence or overconfidence, while others use it to describe an easy task. It's also worth noting that there are regional variations of the idiom, such as "walk on water" in Australia and New Zealand.

Synonyms in English

• Breeze through
• Piece of cake
• Walk in the park
• Snap your fingers
• A cinch

Synonyms in other languages

• 押起 (Japanese) - meaning to lift up easily or without strain
• 轻而易去 (Chinese) - meaning to go away easily or effortlessly
• זהולן בעלות יעקב מסמים (Hebrew) - meaning to enjoy life with little effort
• אינטיסה רשאלית נפשה (Hebrew) - meaning an easygoing, relaxed personality
• בנים כל כבודן מקניסים (Hebrew) - meaning children who make things happen easily or effortlessly

Similar Idioms

• cat among the pigeons

• carry out

• blue-collar