take the cake
idiomatic phrase
variants
chiefly US take the cake
or British take the biscuit
informal
: to win the prize : to rank first
While it didn't take the cake for the warmest Christmas on record, it was close.—
Krista McEnany
—typically used to describe something that is very surprising, foolish, remarkable, annoying, etc.Krista McEnanyThere have been doozies in the flurry of free-agent signings … but the Giants' acquisition of quarterback Kerry Collins takes the cake.—Peter King
Peter KingOf all the invasions of her privacy, this one took the cake.—Richard Peck
Richard PeckWhen he was quite sure that the narrative had ended he laughed noiselessly for fully half a minute. Then he said: "Well! … That takes the biscuit!"—James Joyce
James JoyceExamples of take the cake in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Eve might take the cake for the soft life queen as the rapper is often fabulously jet-setting worldwide.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 25 Feb. 2025
As far as midrange towers go, this Alienware Aurora takes the cake with its powerful processor and a graphics card sufficient for tackling most modern day titles and also 3D rendering and the like.
—Jade Chung-Lee, PCMAG, 12 Feb. 2025
Even with all that to choose from, Don’s penthouse apartment from season five, with its sunken living room, wood-paneling, and floor-to-ceiling windows, takes the cake.
—Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 24 Dec. 2024
All unique and well-thought-out, the well-worth-it seasonal cocktails take the cake here.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for take the cake
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Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 25 Feb. 2025
As far as midrange towers go, this Alienware Aurora takes the cake with its powerful processor and a graphics card sufficient for tackling most modern day titles and also 3D rendering and the like.
—Jade Chung-Lee, PCMAG, 12 Feb. 2025
Even with all that to choose from, Don’s penthouse apartment from season five, with its sunken living room, wood-paneling, and floor-to-ceiling windows, takes the cake.
—Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 24 Dec. 2024
All unique and well-thought-out, the well-worth-it seasonal cocktails take the cake here.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for take the cake
Cite this Entry
“Take the cake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20the%20cake. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
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