Sometimes, when you are speaking English, it’s really fun to just slip in an English expression and impress people with your English level! However, to the native speaker, these can sound very strange if not used correctly. So I’m here to help you use these chunks of language in a way that sounds natural. Today’s post will help you to use ‘The icing on the cake’ in everyday conversation.
What does it mean?
The icing on the cake is a great English expression for describing how a good situation became great….or how a bad situation got even worse.
How can I use ‘the icing on the cake’ in a conversation?
Perhaps you have a new job. Everything is great about this job – the hours, the people, the location – and you’ve just found out your salary will increase too so that is the icing on the cake! You say to your friend:
I’m so excited about my new job. It’s fantastic. Oh and I didn’t tell you about the icing on the cake – It’s better money too!
Or perhaps you went to a party last night and you didn’t know anyone there, the music was awful, you lost your phone and then you missed the last bus home – the bus is the icing on the cake! You say to your friend:
Last night was a disaster. The party was rubbish and I lost my phone but the icing on the cake was when I had to walk home in the rain because I missed the bus!
Translate this phrase
Do you have a translation for this phrase in YOUR language? I’d love to hear it. Let me know in the comments below 👇
11 Responses
Hi Nicki. I don’t know if we have a phrase for this in German. I can’t think of one but I like the English one.
I will try to use it! Thank you!
Yes, sometimes they don’t translate exactly. But I’m glad to hear you like it! 😊
Hi Nicky, we say in Turkish “bu da cabası” in the same situations!
Thank you so much for lovely phrases.
Ah, it sounds so nice in Turkish! Thanks for sharing that with us Hatice 😊
Hi Nicki!
We in Bulgaria have a similar expression for the same situations.
“Върхът на сладоледа”. I understood your secret plan. You want to learn all the languages of the world.
Haha! Yes, you caught me 😁 Thanks for sharing the Bulgarian translation. I hope you’ll remember the English version!
Hello Nicki,
In French we say ‘ la cerise sur le gâteau’.
My car has just broken down. It’s the icing on the cake!
See you later.
Ah, it’s an exact translation in French! And yes, that’s a great example after a difficult day!
Thanks for sharing it with us Eric 🙂
I’m so excited about going on a business trip to Jeju Island this Thursday. The island contains a natural world heritage site, the Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes. Oh and I didn’t tell you about the icing on the cake – I am also hiking up to the top of Halla Mountain in Jeju Island this Saturday.
This is such a perfect use of ‘the icing on the cake’ Yunrok! Thank you for sharing it with us 😊
And your trip sounds AMAZING! Have a fantastic time!