朝飯前(あさめしまえ)

Etymology

Literally "before breakfast" (朝(あさ)飯(めし)前(まえ)). The idea is that the task is so simple it can be finished even before eating the morning meal.

Usage

Most commonly used as a predicate with だ: 〜は朝飯前(あさめしまえ)だ. Carries a confident, sometimes boastful tone. Tends to be used in informal speech.

Note that 飯(めし) is an informal word for "meal/rice," which gives this expression a casual flavor.

Common patterns

• 〜なんて朝飯前(あさめしまえ)だ: something like ~ is a piece of cake
• 〜は朝飯前(あさめしまえ)だろう: ~ is probably a cinch