Meaning & use
takes the cake
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Meaning
phraseidiominformal
To be the most surprising, remarkable or annoying example of something, often used about bad or odd behavior.
Grammar: The verb changes with tense: that really takes the cake, that took the cake.
Patterns
- something takes the cake
He was late again, but showing up in his pajamas really takes the cake.
Of all the excuses I have heard, that one takes the cake.
Her cooking is good, but this dessert takes the cake.
Word forms
| third person singular | takes the cake |
|---|---|
| past tense | took the cake |
| -ing form | taking the cake |
Common combinations
- that takes the cake
- After three delays and a lost bag, a canceled flight takes the cake.
- really takes the cake
- His rudeness really takes the cake.
- this one takes the cake
- I have seen messy rooms, but this one takes the cake.
- certainly takes the cake
- Her costume certainly takes the cake.
Synonyms and how they differ
- beats everything
- Beats everything is a close match but sounds more like amazement than complaint.
- is the limit
- The limit stresses reaching the edge of what is tolerable, usually negative.
- is the best
- Is the best is purely positive, whereas takes the cake can be negative or positive.
Word family
- cake noun
- a sweet baked food
- take verb
- to get or receive
- piece of cake phrase
- something very easy
Commonly confused: takes the cake or piece of cake?
takes the cake vs piece of cake
A piece of cake means very easy, not remarkable or outrageous.
Practice
He has told many silly stories, but this one really ____.
Choose one answer.
Takes the cake means is the most outrageous or surprising. The other choices are food phrases without that meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “takes the cake”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.