Language problem: "It's a cinch"

[agnesscope]

I watched the roadshow ad by Calvin Sun, the tutor king. He said we can say "It's a cinch" to mean "it's easy", and "I owe you an apology" in spoken English.

Do you guys (esp. those who speak English as your mother tongue) say this? Do you use them very often?

[carang]

i use it for "it's easy" never heard of it being used for "i'm sorry" though, sorry..

[hottie]

I've only ever heard it and used it to mean that something is easy. It is somehow connected to a horse being easy to ride.

I watched the roadshow ad by Calvin Sun, the tutor king. He said we can say "It's a cinch" to mean "it's easy", and "I owe you an apology" in spoken English.

Do you guys (esp. those who speak English as your mother tongue) say this? Do you use them very often?

[BEL]

Agree with above, it means something is easy to do, never heard of it used as an apology.

And it is used quite often in Australia.

[agnesscope]

Sorry.. I meant do people say "I owe you an apology" to mean "I'm sorry"? coz "I'm sorry" is so common. I know "it's a cinch" means "It's easy" but how often do you guys use it? And is "I owe you an apology" often used in daily conversations? coz it's sounds wordy..

[MrMoo]

Sorry.. I meant do people say "I owe you an apology" to mean "I'm sorry"?

Most certainly, but it is more of a post-situational phrase rather than here and now.

[hottie]

Sure. I use "I owe you an apology" as a header into a story of how I dun wrong.

Sorry.. I meant do people say "I owe you an apology" to mean "I'm sorry"? coz "I'm sorry" is so common. I know "it's a cinch" means "It's easy" but how often do you guys use it? And is "I owe you an apology" often used in daily conversations? coz it's sounds wordy..

[Mr Scott]

I've only ever heard it and used it to mean that something is easy. It is somehow connected to a horse being easy to ride.

I was wondering about the horse connection too. I understand it is something to do with a cinch making the saddle secure, and hence a cinch is something that is secure, certain and sure. I guess it is only a step away from something being simple - kind of.

[jayinhongkong]

I use "piece of cake" more often than "it's a cinch." Alternatively, I just say "it's easy."

[agneschan]

I use "piece of cake" more often than "it's a cinch." Alternatively, I just say "it's easy."

Yes, this is what I think. Most people I heard say "it's easy" or "it's a piece of cake" but I wonder how OFTEN people say "it's a cinch"?

Also, how often people SAY "I owe you an apology"? coz "I'm sorry" is good enough and there's not much chance to use the longer phrase. It sounds quite wordy.