cakes and ale

cakes and ale

Simple material pleasures; fun or lively enjoyment in general. The phrase first appeared in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night: "Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?" Primarily heard in UK. Any reasonable person knows that life is not all cakes and ale. Kids these days think only of cakes and ales—and not of the hard work they need to put in to be successful.
See also: ale, and, cake
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

cakes and ale

BRITISH, LITERARY
You use cakes and ale to describe a time or activity when you enjoy yourself greatly and have no troubles. It has not all been cakes and ale, and Harding has had his share of setbacks along the way. Note: This expression is used in Shakespeare's `Twelfth Night'. Sir Toby Belch says to Malvolio, `Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?' (Act 2, Scene 3). `Cakes and Ale' is also the title of a novel by Somerset Maugham, which was published in 1930.
See also: ale, and, cake
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

cakes and ale

merrymaking.
1601 William Shakespeare Twelfth Night Dost thou think because thou art virtuous there shall be no more cakes and ale?
See also: ale, and, cake
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • ho there
  • a thou
  • thou
  • like a duck to water
  • take to (something) like a duck to water
  • take to something like a duck to water
  • this is the life
  • this is the life!
  • indulge in
  • indulge in (something)
References in periodicals archive
Solicitor Peter McCormick told Barnsley magistrates: "Acting is not all cakes and ale. He had a miserable day.
Driving ban for boozy star Seth
Cakes and Ale (in full Cakes and Ale; or, The Skeleton in the Cupboard) Comic novel by Maugham, W.Somerset, published in 1930.
Cakes and Ale
The character of Kear in Somerset Maugham's Cakes and Ale is said to be a satirical portrait of Walpole.
Walpole, Sir Hugh (Seymour)