best (best)

Phrases

all the best

said or written to wish a person well on ending a letter or parting.

as best one can (or may)

as effectively as possible under the circumstances: I went about my job as best I could

at best

taking the most optimistic view: what signs there are of recovery are patchy at best

at the best of times

even in the most favourable circumstances: his memory is poor at the best of times

best of breed

the animal in a show judged to be the best representative of its breed.

any item or product considered to be the best of its kind: their technology is still considered best of breed and demand for their products is still growing

one's best friend

one’s closest friend: Michael was Frank’s best friend he’s best friends with Eddie

the best-laid plans of mice and men gang aft agley

proverb even the most careful planning doesn’t necessarily ensure success: in the tradition of all best-laid plans, subsequent events overturned the scheme

[see gang²]

be the best of friends

be very close friends: she’s really nice and we’re the best of friends

the best of three (or five etc.)

victory achieved by winning the majority of a specified odd number of games.

the best part of

most of: the tedious ceremony took the best part of a day

best wishes

an expression of hope for someone’s future happiness or welfare, often written at the end of a letter: best wishes, Celia we sent our best wishes for a speedy recovery

one's best years

the most vigorous and productive period of one’s life; one’s prime: my best years are ahead of me

do (or try) one's best

do all one can: Ruth did her best to reassure her

be for (or all for) the best

be desirable in the end, although not at first seeming so: what was done was done, and maybe it was for the best

get the best of

overcome (someone): his drinking got the best of him and he was fired

give someone/thing best

British dated admit the superiority of someone or something: he finally decided to give us best and took himself off

had best do something

find it most sensible or well advised to do the thing mentioned: I’d best be going

make the best of

derive what limited advantage one can from (something unsatisfactory): you’ll just have to make the best of the situation

use (resources) as well as possible: he tried to make the best of his talents

make the best of a bad job

British do something as well as one can under difficult circumstances.

six of the best

British, chiefly historical or humorous a caning as a punishment, traditionally with six strokes of the cane: one prefect would hold you down and the other would give you six of the best

to the best of one's ability

see ability.

to the best of one's knowledge

see knowledge.

with the best of them

as well or as much as anyone: he’ll be out there dancing with the best of them