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
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

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
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

can of corn

Sports
Something that is easily accomplished, especially a routine catch of a fly ball in baseball.
See also: can, corn, of
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • can of corn
  • corn
  • up high
  • a blast from the past
  • blast
  • couldn't catch a cold
  • cans
  • big as life
  • as big as life
  • as large as life
References in periodicals archive
"The customer doesn't want to pick up a can of corn here and then walk 10 feet to compare it to another," the importer spokesperson stresses.
Play Up the Pluses
If you're trying to eat healthy, you might be better off reaching for a can of corn instead of a fresh ear.
Processing corn boosts antioxidants. (Food & Nutrition)
said it had received a complaint from a housewife in Suzuka, Mie Prefecture, who found the 4-centimeter-long body of a house lizard in a can of corn in early July.
LEAD: Food maker recalls canned corn in lizard scare
"I want to give a can of corn," said Jenny, "because I like to eat corn."
Kevin's gift
But when Mutos' plastic bottles were weighed, they were not enough to get him a can of corned beef.
Barter store helps city get rid of plastic waste