Success


Something that is extremely easy. Often used by children. Sometimes used by adults to demote an achievement that was accomplished with little apparent effort.

Jenny must have loosened the jar lid. She couldn’t get it off but when she gave it to me it just screwed right off. Easy-peasy.

Britain, mid-20th century.

Worldwide, but most common in Britain.


To have been successful during a military campaign.

Grandad never talked about it but we found a string of WWII bravery medals when he died – he must have had a good war.

Britain, 20th century.

Mostly Britain.


To perform something particularly well.

India needed 15 of the last over and they hit the last three balls for six. They really nailed it.

Britain, 15th century.

Worldwide.

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.