easy pickings

Meanings

1. 1phrasepluralinformalfigurative

   Something or someone that is very easy to take advantage of, defeat, or steal from.

   Grammar: Always plural; used as a noun phrase. Often follows 'be' or 'make'.

   Patterns

   • be easy pickings
   • make easy pickings of someone
   • easy pickings for someone

   The small shop was easy pickings for thieves at night.

   Without their best player, the team were easy pickings for their rivals.

   Tourists can be easy pickings for scam artists.

2. 2phrasepluralinformalfigurative

   A profit or benefit that is very easy to obtain.

   Grammar: Used in the same way as the first sense, but focuses on gain rather than vulnerability.

   Patterns

   • easy pickings for someone
   • be easy pickings

   The contract was easy pickings for the large firms.

   Investors saw easy pickings in the new market.

   With low prices, it was easy pickings for buyers.

Common combinations

easy pickings for

The unguarded warehouse was easy pickings for burglars.

be easy pickings

The weak defense made them easy pickings.

make easy pickings of

The champion made easy pickings of his opponent.

Synonyms and how they differ

sitting duck

Describes someone who is an easy target for attack or criticism; 'easy pickings' can also refer to things that are easy to steal or win.

pushover

Refers to a person who is easily persuaded or defeated; 'easy pickings' is broader and can apply to situations or things.

Opposites

Commonly confused: easy pickings or easy picking?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “easy pickings”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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