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
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In a series that is admirably earnest, Last Rites easily takes the cake as the most wholesome chapter of the bunch, its insistence on God and faith teetering on religious propaganda. Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025 However, LeRoy and Lewis takes the cake with one Michelin star. Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 23 Aug. 2025 But the upcoming sit-down with Putin may take the cake as most high-profile, given the lengthy history between Alaska and Russia. Al Weaver, The Hill, 14 Aug. 2025 Tori Spelling has had her share of wild stories — but this might take the cake as one of her creepiest. Daysia Tolentino, EW.com, 7 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for take the cake

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of take the cake was in 1847

Cite this Entry

“Take the cake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20the%20cake. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.

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