(one's) cake is dough



(one's) cake is dough

One's actions have failed or not led to the desired outcome—much like a cake that is still dough after baking. The phrase appears in Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. I know you worked really hard on this project, but it looks like your cake is dough, and you won't be winning the contest.
See also: cake, dough

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Ghislainezheez-LEN, gee-LENFrench
HamishHAY-mishScottish
Hallsteinn-Ancient Scandinavian
NicÉPhore-French
Mcdonald[mək'dɔnəld]
TonyTON-eeEnglish