cakewalk
noun
Cakewalk — an accomplishment so easy it scarcely felt like effort at all
Definition
An easy accomplishment; "winning the tournament was a cakewalk for him"; "invading Iraq won't be a cakewalk"
In depth
A cakewalk names an accomplishment achieved with surprising ease, a task that promised difficulty but delivered none. The word carries a certain breeziness, often used with a touch of irony or hindsight, as though the speaker is marveling at how little resistance stood in the way of success.
Origin
The word originated in nineteenth-century African American communities, naming a competitive dance contest, often performed at social gatherings, in which the most graceful or elaborate steps won a cake as a prize. Its drift into meaning 'something easy' reflects the perceived effortless elegance of skilled dancers, a meaning that has since lost most awareness of its specific cultural and historical origin.
Usage examples
"Winning the tournament was a cakewalk for him, though his opponents had trained for years."
"Diplomats had warned the negotiation would be no cakewalk, and for once the warning proved entirely correct."
"She had expected the exam to be a cakewalk, given how thoroughly she had prepared, and for once her confidence was justified."
How to use it
Cakewalk is informal, conversational vocabulary, often used ironically — frequently in the negative, as in 'no cakewalk,' to emphasize unexpected difficulty. It suits journalism, dialogue, and casual narration far better than formal or elevated prose.
Related concepts
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