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

Super-high-rise Tight 25-inch takes the cake—choose from 20 vibrant hues and save up to $49. —Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2026

Last night took the cake when treating our dear couple friends to his birthday dinner at a very nice restaurant. —R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026

But with the Yellowstone juggernaut now wrapped, my metaphorical money is on its new spinoff Marshalls taking the cake in terms of reach and monetary value. —Josh Glicksman, Billboard, 13 Jan. 2026

Several similar debacles have plagued the team over the last six years, but this one may just take the cake. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for take the cake

• radiopaque
• ache
• ake
• bake
• brake
• break
• craik
• crake
• fake
• flake
• hake
• jake