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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When the game ends, Era IV takes the cake, with six of their seven players surviving, putting Jenny and Theo in power. Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for take the cake 

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of take the cake was in 1847

Dictionary Entries Near 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 25 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on take the cake

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!