child's play: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal
Quick answer
What does “child's play” mean?
A task or activity that is extremely easy to do.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A task or activity that is extremely easy to do.
Something so simple it requires little or no skill or effort; can also imply triviality or insignificance in comparison to a more serious matter.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is virtually identical in meaning and frequency. Minor differences may exist in accompanying vocabulary or typical contexts.
Connotations
Slightly more common in British English as a colloquialism; in American English, often used with a tone of confident bragging.
Frequency
Common in both varieties. Slightly higher frequency in spoken, informal British English.
Grammar
How to Use “child's play” in a Sentence
[Task/Activity] + is + child's playfind + [Task/Activity] + child's playchild's play + compared to + [More Difficult Task]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “child's play” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - this is a noun phrase idiom.
American English
- N/A - this is a noun phrase idiom.
adverb
British English
- N/A - this is a noun phrase idiom.
American English
- N/A - this is a noun phrase idiom.
adjective
British English
- N/A - this is a noun phrase idiom.
American English
- N/A - this is a noun phrase idiom.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"After the last merger, integrating these two software systems will be child's play."
Academic
Rare; considered too informal for most academic writing.
Everyday
"Don't worry about assembling the flat-pack bookcase; it's child's play with the instructions."
Technical
Uncommon; precision-focused fields avoid metaphorical idioms.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “child's play”
- Using 'childish play' (incorrect).
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Misspelling the possessive: 'childs play' or 'childrens play'.
- Overusing it, which can sound arrogant.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it can be dismissive. Saying 'Your argument is child's play' belittles the other person's point as trivial or unsophisticated.
It is firmly informal and colloquial. It is common in speech and informal writing but should be avoided in formal reports, academic papers, or official documents.
They are very close synonyms. 'Child's play' sometimes emphasizes triviality or lack of challenge more, while 'a piece of cake' emphasizes enjoyment and ease. Both are informal.
It's a fixed idiom originating from the concept of the simple, untaxing games of a single child, representing ultimate simplicity. The possessive form 'child's' is idiomatic and must not be changed.
A task or activity that is extremely easy to do.
Child's play: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃaɪldz pleɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃaɪldz pleɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's not rocket science.”
- “Like taking candy from a baby.”
- “As easy as falling off a log.”
- “Like shooting fish in a barrel.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a small child successfully completing a complex task meant for an adult, highlighting how surprisingly easy the task must be.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIFFICULTY IS PHYSICAL BURDEN / EASE IS LACK OF BURDEN. A difficult task is 'heavy' or a 'struggle'; an easy task is 'light' or requires no struggle, like a child's game.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'child's play' correctly?