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

That blows away the number who were dissatisfied with the Trump-Hillary Clinton matchup in 2016, 58% -- a race that then took the cake for unpopular candidates. —Gary Langer, ABC News, 12 July 2024

More specifically, Colorado and California take the cake, making three appearances each on this year's list of the 15 best continental U.S. resorts. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2024

The verdict As far as finding the cheapest flight, Gemini takes the cake. —Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 2 July 2024

Then to take the cake, Rodricks has to put in his usual digs at Trump and Rep. Andy Harris. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 23 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above