cut the cake — slice cake
collocationB1IELTS 4+neutralcommon
to divide a cake into pieces, usually with a knife, so that people can eat it.
Say it like a native
Textbook Shall I divide the cake into portions?
Native Shall I cut the cake?
'Divide into portions' is stiff for a birthday; people just 'cut the cake'.
Pattern: cut the cake
In use
- After singing happy birthday, Sarah was asked to cut the cake.daily life
- At my cousin’s wedding, the bride and groom cut the cake together, which was a really special moment for everyone.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ Let's cut off the cake now.
✓ Let's cut the cake now.
'Cut the cake' — 'cut off' means remove a piece/part.
Common collocations
cut the cake— into slices, a slice of, the birthday, for everyone
Don't confuse it
Not used for other foods like bread or pizza; 'cut the cake' is a set phrase for cakes, especially at special events.