IdiomFood & Drink
English
Englishthe icing on the cake
Meaning: An extra good thing added to something already good.
Example: “Winning the match was great; beating our rivals was the icing on the cake.”
Origin: Icing is the pleasing finish on a cake that is already complete. The figurative use is from the 20th century; Americans also say "the cherry on top."
Equivalents in other languages
Icelandic: Rúsínan í pylsuendanum Literally: The raisin at the end of the sausage
Spanish: poner el broche de oro Literally: To put the golden clasp
Portuguese: a cereja do bolo Literally: The cherry of the cake
French: La cerise sur le gâteau Literally: The cherry on the cake
More English idioms
- neither fish nor fowl Something that fits into no clear category.
- only have eyes for To be interested in or attracted to one person only.
- lose sleep over To worry a lot about something.
- like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic Doing something pointless while a disaster happens.
- shoot oneself in the foot To damage one's own interests through a foolish action.
- make a pass at To make a sexual or romantic advance toward someone.
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