The expression take the cake has been a part of the English language for a couple of centuries, but the context in which it is used and the meaning have changed since then.
The current meaning of “take the cake” means “to carry off all the honors.”
The phrase originated in the 19th century during slavery in the United States. The slaves would often hold competitions in which couples lined up and would parade in front of judges as a way of mocking the aristocracy of which their masters were a part.
The couple that had the best strut would be awarded with a cake. From this, the expression “take the cake” originated.
Nowadays, the expression “take the cake” is no longer used in the context of the cake walk competitions held by the slaves. Instead, its context has broadened to include anyone or anything that walks away with all the honors. It is also often used incredulously. Here are a couple of examples:
Enquanto você lê
Ler sobre inglês não é falar inglês.
Em 200 horas a gente tira você do “entendo mas não falo”. Descubra em qual módulo você entra.
Eu travava em reunião. Hoje eu conduzo a reunião.
1. You have done some stupid things in your life, but jumping out of an airplane without a parachute takes the cake.
2. Out of all the costumes in the contest, this one definitely takes the cake; it will definitely win first prize.
Here is another example of how this expression is used:
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