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.

There have been doozies in the flurry of free-agent signings … but the Giants' acquisition of quarterback Kerry Collins takes the cake.

—Peter King

Of all the invasions of her privacy, this one took the cake.

—Richard Peck

When 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

Examples of take the cake in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If Vitamix reigns supreme in the blender space, then KitchenAid takes the cake for stand mixers. —Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 4 Nov. 2024

Tushy Classic Bidet Tushy 8 Tushy Classic Bidet $129 $99 Tushy $109 Amazon In terms of unique gifts, this SELF Fave bidet might just take the cake. —Malia Griggs, SELF, 16 Oct. 2024

Of all the wild things that have happened in airports or on flights, this may take the cake…or cheese, more appropriately. —Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 24 Oct. 2024

In the Big Apple, Double Chicken Please takes the cake at No. 14 (dropping from No. 2 last year). —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above