you take the cake

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiominformaldisapproving

   used to say someone's behavior is the most extreme or worst example of its kind

   Grammar: Often used with 'really' for emphasis; the pronoun can change: 'He takes the cake.'

   Patterns

   • you take the cake
   • someone takes the cake
   • really take the cake

   You forgot her birthday again? You really take the cake.

   Of all the rude customers we've had, that one takes the cake.

   He complained about the free meal — now that takes the cake.

2. 2phraseidiomhumorous

   used, often humorously, to say someone or something is the most surprising or impressive example

   Grammar: The tone can be teasing rather than critical when the situation is funny.

   Patterns

   • that takes the cake
   • take the cake for something

   For terrible weather, this week really takes the cake.

   That excuse takes the cake — I've never heard anything like it.

Common combinations

really take the cake

You lost the keys twice today — that really takes the cake.

take the cake for something

That little café takes the cake for the slowest service in town.

that takes the cake

He arrived an hour late and blamed the bus — that takes the cake.

Synonyms and how they differ

take the biscuit

The British version of this idiom; it has the same disapproving or humorous meaning but is rare in American English.

be the last straw

This means a final problem that makes you lose patience, while 'take the cake' simply points out the most extreme example.

Commonly confused: you take the cake or take the biscuit?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “you take the cake”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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