take the cake

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.”

Idioms and Phrases

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

Cake and Colbert in bed We take the cake home with us, and in bed we watch Colbert and eat cake and then brush our teeth because there’s been so much cake.

From Los Angeles Times

While the fractious opposition parties fought for the crumbs, Fidesz took the cake.

From BBC

As far-fetched as all the conspiracy theories have been thus far, this one takes the cake.

From Salon

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

From Literature

Kyrgios added that while he might have been accused of being irresponsible or stupid, “this takes the cake.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• conquer 
• dominate 
• flourish 
• overcome 
• overwhelm 
• prevail 
• prosper 
• sweep 
• thrive 
• trounce 
• win