Some things in life are easy to understand or do they’re simple. When something is simple, we can often explain it in just a few words. In English, people use idioms to talk about things that are quick to learn, easy to use, or not complicated. Idioms are phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words say, but they help us explain ideas in a clearer and more fun way.
In this article, we’ll look at idioms for simple things. These sayings help us talk about tasks, ideas, or situations that are easy. Let’s learn how these idioms make “simple” sound even simpler.
Idioms for Simple
1. Easy as pie
Meaning: Very simple or easy to do.
Samples: That math problem was easy as pie. / The homework was easy as pie.
To Put it Another Way: Super easy. / No trouble at all.
2. A piece of cake
Meaning: Something that is very easy.
Samples: The spelling test was a piece of cake. / Riding a bike is a piece of cake for him.
To Put it Another Way: Very simple. / Easy task.
3. No sweat
Meaning: Not difficult at all.
Samples: Don’t worry, I can help you no sweat! / The quiz was no sweat.
To Put it Another Way: Not hard. / Simple to do.
4. Like taking candy from a baby
Meaning: So easy it feels unfair.
Samples: That puzzle was like taking candy from a baby. / The game was like taking candy from a baby.
To Put it Another Way: Very simple. / Too easy.
5. A walk in the park
Meaning: Something easy and enjoyable.
Samples: The project was a walk in the park. / Reading that book was a walk in the park.
To Put it Another Way: Simple and fun. / Not hard at all.
6. Plain as day
Meaning: Very clear or easy to see.
Samples: The answer was plain as day. / It’s plain as day she likes art.
To Put it Another Way: Very clear. / Easy to understand.
7. Simple as ABC
Meaning: Very simple to learn.
Samples: The directions were simple as ABC. / Making cookies is simple as ABC.
To Put it Another Way: Easy to do. / Just like learning letters.
8. Child’s play
Meaning: Very easy to do.
Samples: That game was child’s play. / For her, writing stories is child’s play.
To Put it Another Way: Not hard. / Super easy.
9. As clear as crystal
Meaning: Very easy to understand.
Samples: Her explanation was as clear as crystal. / The rule was clear as crystal.
To Put it Another Way: Very simple. / No confusion.
10. Like clockwork
Meaning: Happens easily and regularly.
Samples: Their morning routine goes like clockwork. / The plan worked like clockwork.
To Put it Another Way: Smooth and easy. / Works every time.
11. Easy does it
Meaning: Go slowly and carefully; it’s not hard.
Samples: Easy does it no need to rush. / Just move the table slowly easy does it.
To Put it Another Way: Take it slow. / It’s simple, don’t hurry.
12. No-brainer
Meaning: A decision or task that’s very easy.
Samples: Picking the winner was a no-brainer. / It’s a no-brainer to wear a coat when it’s snowing.
To Put it Another Way: Obvious. / Super easy choice.
13. Duck soup
Meaning: Very easy (older saying).
Samples: That quiz was duck soup. / For him, solving riddles is duck soup.
To Put it Another Way: Very simple. / No problem at all.
14. Hand it to you on a silver platter
Meaning: Given easily without effort.
Samples: They handed the answer on a silver platter. / She got the prize handed to her on a silver platter.
To Put it Another Way: Didn’t have to work for it. / Given simply.
15. Crystal clear
Meaning: Very easy to see or understand.
Samples: The rule was crystal clear. / Her message was crystal clear.
To Put it Another Way: Totally clear. / Easy to follow.
16. Like rolling off a log
Meaning: Extremely easy and natural.
Samples: For her, drawing is like rolling off a log. / That dance move is like rolling off a log.
To Put it Another Way: Very easy. / Comes naturally.
17. Snap of the fingers
Meaning: Done very quickly and easily.
Samples: She solved it in a snap of the fingers. / That job was done in a snap.
To Put it Another Way: Done fast. / Very easy.
18. Can do it in your sleep
Meaning: So easy you don’t even have to think about it.
Samples: He can do that puzzle in his sleep. / I can make pancakes in my sleep.
To Put it Another Way: Really easy. / Doesn’t take effort.
19. It’s a cinch
Meaning: It’s very easy to do.
Samples: Don’t worry, it’s a cinch. / That quiz? It’s a cinch!
To Put it Another Way: Simple. / No problem.
20. Breeze through
Meaning: Finish something easily.
Samples: She breezed through the test. / He breezed through the cleaning job.
To Put it Another Way: Did it quickly. / Easy to complete.
21. Cakewalk
Meaning: Very easy task.
Samples: That assignment was a cakewalk. / Beating the game was a cakewalk.
To Put it Another Way: Super easy. / No challenge.
22. No big deal
Meaning: Not difficult or a problem.
Samples: Forgetting your pencil? No big deal. / Cleaning up was no big deal.
To Put it Another Way: Not hard. / Don’t worry about it.
23. Smooth sailing
Meaning: Easy progress.
Samples: After we started, it was smooth sailing. / This project is smooth sailing.
To Put it Another Way: No problems. / Going easily.
24. Go like clockwork
Meaning: Everything works easily and perfectly.
Samples: The trip went like clockwork. / Their teamwork goes like clockwork.
To Put it Another Way: Very smooth. / Works well.
25. ABC easy
Meaning: As simple as learning the alphabet.
Samples: This task is ABC easy. / Those instructions are ABC easy.
To Put it Another Way: Very easy. / Like learning your letters.
26. Nothing to it
Meaning: Not hard at all.
Samples: Building that was nothing to it. / There’s nothing to it just try.
To Put it Another Way: Super simple. / Don’t worry.
27. A breeze
Meaning: Something that’s easy and gentle.
Samples: That spelling test was a breeze. / Reading that book was a breeze.
To Put it Another Way: Simple. / Not hard.
28. Easy as 1-2-3
Meaning: Very easy to do.
Samples: It’s easy as 1-2-3 to sign your name. / That game is easy as 1-2-3.
To Put it Another Way: Super easy. / Anyone can do it.
29. Straightforward
Meaning: Clear and simple.
Samples: The directions were straightforward. / Her answer was straightforward.
To Put it Another Way: Simple. / No confusion.
30. Lay it out
Meaning: Explain something simply.
Samples: Can you lay it out for me? / The teacher laid it out step by step.
To Put it Another Way: Explain clearly. / Make it simple.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Simple
Reading Passage: “The Easy Bake Sale”
Our class planned a bake sale, and at first, we were nervous. But once we started, it was smooth sailing. Ava said making brownies was a piece of cake. “Don’t worry,” she added, “this will be a breeze.”
Liam helped organize the table, and everything went like clockwork. Emma made the signs she can draw in her sleep! When someone asked about the prices, Mia laid it out so clearly that it was crystal clear.
By lunchtime, we’d already sold most of our treats. “That was easy as pie,” Noah said. “No sweat at all!”
Your Task:
Can you underline or list all 8 idioms for simple used in the story?
Answer Key
- Smooth sailing
- Piece of cake
- A breeze
- Like clockwork
- Can do it in her sleep
- Laid it out
- Crystal clear
- Easy as pie
Conclusion
Sometimes things are easier than we expect, and idioms help us describe those simple moments. Whether it’s finishing a task or solving a problem, these expressions show that not everything has to be hard.
By learning idioms for simple things, we can talk about easy tasks in a more fun and creative way. So the next time something feels simple, try saying it was “a piece of cake” or “as easy as ABC.”
