河童かっぱの寒かん稽げい古こ

expression, noun

something that looks difficult but actually isn't

Idiomatic expression likening a seemingly tough task to a kappa's mid-winter swimming practice, which is easy for the water-dwelling creature. Used to downplay apparent difficulty.

• 初はじめてのプレゼンは河童かっぱの寒かん稽げい古こだと思おもって、気き楽らくにやろう。

  Think of your first presentation as something that looks hard but isn't, and take it easy.

• 彼かれにとって徹てつ夜や作さ業ぎょうは河童かっぱの寒かん稽げい古このようなものだ。

  For him, working through the night is like swimming in a cold lake for a kappa—seems tough but it's nothing.