VOA词汇掌故2023--'Icing on the Cake' Is As Good As It Sounds

'Icing on the Cake' Is As Good As It Sounds

And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning¹ English.

On this program we explore English words and expressions. We give you examples and notes on usage².

Today we talk about a delicious dessert made from flour, butter, sugar, and flavorings such as vanilla⁴, chocolate, or my favorite, coconut⁵. We are talking about cake!

Cake is a commonly served sweet treat at celebrations. And the word also appears in several English idioms.

Back in 2022, we taught the idiom to have your cake and eat it too. This means to have the best of both worlds. You do not have to choose between two good things. Another expression is a piece of cake. This describes something that is very easy to do or finish.

Because of all the sugar and butter, we probably should not eat too much cake. But it is so good! And sometimes having a lot of something good is better. That is the message of today's show.

Most cakes are made up of two parts: the part made from flour and the sweet topping, or icing.

Now, a cake without the sweet icing on top is already great. After all, it's made with lots of butter and sugar. It's sweet and satisfying. So, the icing is not really necessary. But it makes the cake extra special.

Icing on the cake

And that is the meaning of the idiom icing on the cake. Something already good is made better by the addition of something else. If you describe something as icing on the cake or the icing on the cake, you mean that it makes a good thing even better, or sweeter!

Let's hear an example.

She loves her new job and her new co-workers. So, getting her own parking spot was the icing on the cake! She hates looking for parking.

The idiom icing on the cake has another meaning. It can be someone's greatest accomplishment⁶ or victory.

Here is an example of that usage.

He had achieved the highest level of success in the company. So, his fancy⁷ new title was simply icing on the cake.

Cherry on top

We have another dessert saying that means about the same thing. Some cakes or ice cream dishes have a special topping: a sweetened cherry.

So, if something is the cherry on top, it is an addition that turns something good into something great!

The Taylors bought the house without even knowing it had a large garden in the back. That was the cherry on top since they both love to garden.

Sometimes we use the ‘cherry on top' when making an appeal for assistance⁸.

Let's say, I really need a friend's help. I might say, "Please help me! Pretty please with a cherry on top." This specially⁹ worded appeal often does the trick and the help comes! But, just know that it can also make you sound a little desperate!

And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo!

Words in This Story

delicious – adj. appealing to one of the bodily senses especially of taste or smell

dessert – n. a usually sweet course or dish (as of pastry¹⁰ or ice cream) usually served at the end of a meal

flavoring³ – n. a substance added to food or drink to give it a desired taste

accomplishment – n. an ability, social quality, or skill gained through training or practice

fancy – adj. impressive¹¹

desperate – adj. being beyond or almost beyond hope

1 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

2 usage   

n.惯用法，使用，用法

参考例句：

• I am clear about the usage of this word at last.这个词的用法我算是弄明白了。
• The usage is now firmly established.这种用法现已得到确认。

3 flavoring   

n.调味品，调味料v.给…调味( flavor的现在分词 )；给…增添风趣

参考例句：

• Add a spoonful of banana flavoring. 加一匙香蕉调料。 来自辞典例句
• A soft, rich candy made of sugar, milk, butter and flavoring. 软糖或水果、坚果通常做夹心的糖果，外面包有一层巧克力。 来自互联网

4 vanilla   

n.香子兰，香草

参考例句：

• He used to love milk flavoured with vanilla.他过去常爱喝带香草味的牛奶。
• I added a dollop of vanilla ice-cream to the pie.我在馅饼里加了一块香草冰激凌。

5 coconut   

n.椰子

参考例句：

• The husk of this coconut is particularly strong.椰子的外壳很明显非常坚固。
• The falling coconut gave him a terrific bang on the head.那只掉下的椰子砰地击中他的脑袋。

6 accomplishment   

n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能

参考例句：

• The series of paintings is quite an accomplishment.这一系列的绘画真是了不起的成就。
• Money will be crucial to the accomplishment of our objectives.要实现我们的目标，钱是至关重要的。

7 fancy   

n.想像力，幻想；喜好，爱；adj.想像的，时髦的，华丽装饰的，奢侈的；技巧的；vt.想象，自认为，喜好

参考例句：

• He seemed to have taken quite a fancy to her.他似乎相当喜欢她。
• I have a fancy that it's going to rain.我想大概要下雨。

8 assistance   

n.援助，帮助

参考例句：

• She called and called but no one came to her assistance.她叫了又叫，但没有人来帮。
• He will get the great possible assistance.他将获得尽可能大的帮助。

9 specially   

adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地

参考例句：

• They are specially packaged so that they stack easily.它们经过特别包装以便于堆放。
• The machine was designed specially for demolishing old buildings.这种机器是专为拆毁旧楼房而设计的。

10 pastry   

n.油酥面团，酥皮糕点

参考例句：

• The cook pricked a few holes in the pastry.厨师在馅饼上戳了几个洞。
• The pastry crust was always underdone.馅饼的壳皮常常烤得不透。

11 impressive   

adj.给人深刻印象的，感人的

参考例句：

• This cinema is so impressive that we can't help crying.这影片如此感人以至我们禁不住流下泪来。
• The suit made him look especially impressive.他穿上这套衣服真精神。