What it means
A job, role, or little side gig that’s ridiculously easy, comfortable, and somehow still pays alright. Think low stress, light workload, decent perks, and you’re out the door on time while everyone else is grafting. It’s usually said with a bit of jealousy or side-eye, like you’ve found a cheat code and we’re the mugs doing the hard yards.
Usage examples
"She’s on a cushy number at the council, answers two emails, has a cuppa, and still clocks off at four."
"He's landed a right cushy number, works from a beach café three days a week and calls it a job."
"Night security at the empty warehouse is a cushy number, you basically get paid to do a crossword."
"He’s got a cushy number doing reception at his uncle’s place, barely lifts a finger and still nicks a tidy wage."
"Trust Dave to find a cushy number where the hardest part of the day is choosing what biscuit to have with his tea."
Where it comes from
It’s a British phrase built from cushy, meaning easy or comfortable, and number, used in older UK slang for a job, deal, or little setup. By the early 20th century, cushy number was already being used for work that’s soft, undemanding, and nicely paid for the effort you actually put in.
