cakes and ale
The phrase 'cakes and ale' originates from Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night' and symbolizes the simple pleasures and indulgences of life.
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Definition
C1General
(informal, idiomatic)The simple and enjoyable pleasures of life.
Example
- After a long week, he looked forward to some cakes and ale with friends.
- They believed in a life of cakes and ale, without too many worries.
C1Literature
(historical, literary)A term used to describe a carefree and indulgent lifestyle.
Example
- In Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night,' Sir Toby Belch defends the need for cakes and ale against puritanical values.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "cakes and ale":