Child's play
Meaning
Something that is very easy to do, requiring little effort or skill.
Origin
The phrase "child's play" first appeared in written English during the 16th century, capturing the inherent simplicity and joy associated with a youngster's games. It brilliantly contrasts the often complex and arduous tasks of adulthood with the effortless, often spontaneous activities of children. The metaphor quickly solidified, suggesting that any task deemed "child's play" was so straightforward and undemanding that even a novice or a child could accomplish it without breaking a sweat, transforming the innocent world of amusement into a universal symbol of ease and simplicity.
Examples
- After years of complex coding, fixing this small bug was child's play for Sarah.
- They thought the obstacle course would be challenging, but for the seasoned athletes, it was child's play.