English Reference
Idiom idiom

take the biscuit


To be particularly bad, objectionable, or egregious.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

That rude comment really takes the biscuit.

CONTEXTUAL

I have dealt with many delays, but this three-hour wait really takes the biscuit.

COMPLEX

While the entire performance was mediocre, the lead actor forgetting his lines during the final act truly takes the biscuit.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    be taken ill

    To become ill.

  2. 02

    bite the biscuit

    To undertake an unpleasant task or to acknowledge an unfavorable situation or responsibility; bite the bullet.

  3. 03

    cross to take up

    Alternative form of cross to bear.

  4. 04

    forget to take one's medication this morning

    To be annoyed or irritable, or to behave in an ill-mannered way, particularly in the morning.

  5. 05

    get taken in

    To be fooled; to fall for.

  6. 06

    give and take

    A process of compromise or accommodation.

  7. 07

    give someone an inch and someone will take a mile

    Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.

  8. 08

    have one's name taken

    To receive a yellow card.

Last updated August 10, 2026