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Synonyms

take the cake

Cultural  

  1. To be the most outstanding; sometimes used in a derogatory sense: “When it comes to eating like a pig, Gordy really takes the cake.”

take the cake Idioms  

  1. Be the most outstanding in some respect, either the best or the worst. For example, That advertising slogan really took the cake, or What a mess they made of the concert—that takes the cake! This expression alludes to a contest called a cakewalk, in which a cake is the prize. Its figurative use, for something either excellent or outrageously bad, dates from the 1880s.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"The attorney general’s lawyers have often appeared frustrated during this trial, but this morning’s session may take the cake," wrote the Times' Kate Christobek, who was reporting from the courthouse.

From Salon • Nov. 13, 2023

The streets of Seattle take the cake for the worst, possibly in the nation.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 19, 2023

However, there were many who were pleased to see the "American Idol" judge take the cake as well.

From Fox News • Apr. 19, 2021

As far as interesting signings of the summer go, and notwithstanding Joe Hart’s move to Tottenham, James Rodríguez has to take the cake.

From The Guardian • Sep. 11, 2020

I didn’t take the cake from the angel’s hand.

From "Fourth Grade Rats" by Jerry Spinelli

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.