hand (one) (something) on a plate

To give or relinquish something to one very easily, without one having to work very hard to get or achieve it. The team's defense has been atrocious today, handing their opponents a victory on a plate. If we can get the government to subsidize our project, our yearly earnings will be handed to us on a plate. A: "Why did you drop out? You just handed Kelly the internship on a plate." B: "Yeah, because she wanted it way more than I did."

COMMON If someone hands you something on a plate, you get it without having to make any effort. Even the presidency was handed to him on a plate. He had had everything, the whole world handed to him on a plate. Note: Other verbs such as offer and serve up can be used instead of hand. Why must our kids have everything served up on a plate?