easy meat
C1Informal, Figurative
Definition
Meaning
A person or thing that is easily defeated, overcome, deceived, or taken advantage of.
Something that is easily achieved or obtained; a target that offers little or no resistance; a person who is gullible or vulnerable.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Used primarily as a figurative, idiomatic noun phrase. Often carries negative connotations of vulnerability or weakness. Can be applied to people, teams, organizations, or abstract targets.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in British English. American English may use "easy pickings" or "pushover" more frequently in similar contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, it suggests a lack of challenge or effort required. Can be slightly dismissive or derogatory.
Frequency
Low-to-medium frequency in BrE; low frequency in AmE, where it might be perceived as a Britishism.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + be + easy meat + for + [agent][Agent] + find/target + [object] + easy meatVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “be easy meat”
- “prove to be easy meat”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe a company ripe for takeover or a market with little competition.
Academic
Rare. Might appear in critical analysis of political or historical narratives describing perceived weak opponents.
Everyday
Used in sports (a weak team), or socially (a gullible person).
Technical
Not typically used in technical registers.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A – not used as a verb
American English
- N/A – not used as a verb
adverb
British English
- N/A – not used as an adverb
American English
- N/A – not used as an adverb
adjective
British English
- N/A – not used as an adjective
American English
- N/A – not used as an adjective
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The new team was easy meat for the experienced champions.
- Don't be easy meat for scammers – be careful with your personal details.
- With their defence in disarray, they were easy meat for any counter-attack.
- The poorly defended outpost was considered easy meat by the invading forces.
- The incumbent's complacent campaign made him easy meat for a savvy political newcomer.
- To a seasoned negotiator like her, the junior suppliers were easy meat.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a piece of tender, cooked meat that requires no effort to cut or eat. Similarly, 'easy meat' is a target that requires no struggle to defeat.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPETITION/CHALLENGE IS HUNTING (the target is meat to be consumed). WEAKNESS IS SOFT FOOD.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as "лёгкое мясо" – this is nonsensical. Avoid calquing.
- The phrase is about vulnerability, not about food being simple to cook.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'He is very easy meat'). It is a noun phrase complement. *'The exam was easy meat' is borderline; 'The exam was easy meat for her' is correct.
- Confusing it with 'easy peasy' (which means very easy, but not about a target).
Practice
Quiz
Which situation best illustrates the meaning of 'easy meat'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely. It usually has a negative or dismissive connotation, implying the target is weak or offers no worthy challenge.
Yes, it can be quite derogatory, suggesting they are gullible, weak, or incapable of resistance. Use with caution.
'A piece of cake' describes a task that is very easy to do. 'Easy meat' describes a person, team, or target that is easy to defeat, exploit, or overcome.
No. It is an informal, figurative idiom. Use more formal alternatives like 'vulnerable target' or 'easily overcome opponent' in formal contexts.