Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

take the cake

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.51 in modern English

Syllables: take the -cake
IPA

24

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

Used as an affirmation or accolade of someone occupying the top rank in a comparison or contest; to win or be the best (at).

American usage; Colloquial

Example Sentences

"Thanks! You guys take the cake."
"Once the party was over, everyone agreed that Elizabeth and her Harriet Tubman getup had taken the cake."
"I've seen bad grammar, but this takes the cake."

Etymology

Attested since circa 1870. Originally used in reference to the winners of cake walk competitions in black communities of the southern USA in the 19th and early 20th centuries, who were said to have "taken the cake", which was oftentimes the prize.

Usage

American usage
Colloquial

Inflected Forms

takes the cake (present, singular) taking the cake (participle, present) took the cake (past) taken the cake (participle, past)

Synonyms

steal the show take the biscuit

Questions

What does take the cake mean?: Used as an affirmation or accolade of someone occupying the top rank in a comparison or contest; to win or be the best (at).
Where does take the cake come from?: Attested since circa 1870. Originally used in reference to the winners of cake walk competitions in black communities of the southern USA in the 19th and early 20th centuries, who were said to have "taken the cake", which was oftentimes the prize.

How to pronounce take the cake

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