best Archives - Diana Derringer

Take the Cake

May 30, 2022 Diana Derringer Comments 6 comments

This expression would probably take the cake in a contest of contradictions.

To take the cake can mean either the best or the worst.

We see examples of the best when a person:

Wins a contest and receives the prize
Excels in school or work
Stands out from everyone else

We might say, “She has created great art before, but this piece takes the cake.”

Examples of the worst include someone who:

Acts horrible
Mistreats others
Appears foolish

We might say, “He has done stupid things before, but that takes the cake.

Take the cake can also mean something unbelievable.

The hard to believe may be important or simply fun. For example, the horse that won the recent Kentucky Derby was the least expected to win.

It may also be horrible or wonderful. In several instances, family members of murdered missionaries continued to serve their loved ones’ killers.

If we want to take the cake, let’s do so in the best way. Make it unbelievably good.

“This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. (Isaiah 48:17 NIV).

Thanks to Ann Maniscalco and Janna Babak for the suggestion and to Cakes by Camille for the photo.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Pull Out All the Stops

June 18, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 1 comment

Pull Out All the Stops-organ Few people play an organ. Yet, any of us can pull out all the stops. We can give our best effort in whatever we do.

In the world of music, nothing compares to pipe organs. Their unique sound has filled churches, concert halls, and other buildings for centuries.

Organs can be used for all types of music. They are probably best known for classical and sacred.

An organ’s sound results from air vibrations in its pipes. I don’t understand everything about how that works. However, I do know three facts:

If an organist pulls out a knob called a stop, it allows sound from a set of pipes (a rank).
If the organist pushes a stop in, no sound can come from those pipes.
The more stops pulled, the larger the sound.

You can see an organist pulling out stops in the picture above. (Some newer organs have replaced pull stops with tilting tablets.)

Organist and writer Emily Akin suggested and helped with this phrase. She describes pulling out all the stops as “giving it all you’ve got.”

Let’s not hold anything back. Let’s pull out all the stops!

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10 NIV).

Do you have a favorite expression or one you want explained? If so, please comment.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

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