up to Idioms

Icing on the cake

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The icing on the cake means an extra benefit that makes a good situation even better. It describes something pleasant that is added after the main success or reward.

The expression comes from baking, where icing is spread on top of a finished cake as a final decorative and delicious extra touch. A very similar idea appears in the phrase cherry on the top, which also describes a small final addition that makes something even better.

Winning the prize money was great, but the free trip to the beach was the icing on the cake.