easy street
Chiefly preceded by on: a carefree lifestyle, especially as a result of becoming wealthy, or an easy situation.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He thinks he is on easy street after winning the lottery.”
“After years of working two jobs, she finally saved enough money to retire and live on easy street.”
“Many young entrepreneurs mistakenly believe that a single successful product launch will instantly place them on easy street for the rest of their lives.”
From easy, in the sense of being at ease or comfortable, and street. The compound is recorded in American English from the late 19th century.
- 01
breathe easy
To relax or feel secure about something.
- 02
down the road, not across the street
Of the technique for committing suicide, along the radial artery rather than across the wrist from side to side.
- 03
easier said than done
Easy to propose, but difficult to accomplish.
- 04
easy come, easy go
Easily won and easily lost (usually said when resigned to a loss; something that comes in the same way, goes in the same way)
- 05
easy does it
Relax; do something gently, lightly or carefully; slow down; calm down.
- 06
easy mark
Someone who is easily fooled or victimized.
- 07
easy money
Money that is easily acquired.
- 08
easy on the eye
Alternative form of easy on the eyes.
Last updated August 10, 2026