a can of corn

a can of corn

1. A very easy task. The phrase is thought to come from the act of dropping cans of vegetables from high grocery store shelves and then catching them. Come on, these chores are a can of corn—you can get them done in 10 minutes.

2. In baseball, a fly ball that is very easy for the fielder to catch (by falling right down into his glove). Of course he made that catch—it was a real can of corn.

See also: can, corn, of

can of corn

1. n. a baseball that drops straight down into the glove of a waiting player (for an out). (Since the 1940s.) It’s a can of corn! Right into Sammy’s mitt.

2. n. something that is really easy [to do], as in easy as catching a can of corn. (From the image of an old-time grocery store clerk who would grasp a can from the top shelf with the special long tool, and then drop it straight down into his hand.) Nothing to it. A can of corn.

See also: can, corn, of

can of corn

Sports

Something that is easily accomplished, especially a routine catch of a fly ball in baseball.

See also: can, corn, of