best offadv.adj.n.

Brit.

/ˌbɛst ˈɒf/, U.S.

/ˈbɛst ˈɔf/,

/ˈbɛst ˈɑf/

Origin: Formed within English, by compounding. Etymons: best adv., off adv.

Etymology: < best adv. + off adv. Compare earlier better off adv., well off adv.

A. adv. In predicative use.

1. In the most favourable or advantageous position; (now esp.) best provided with money or other resources. Cf. better off adv., well off adv.

ΚΠ

?1736 E. Jones Luxury, Pride & Vanity (ed. 2) 11 They strive to seem what they really are not, and to think themselves best off when they are least known.

1838 Farmer's Mag. Dec. 463/2 When the next crisis comes..we must meet it as we best may. They will be best off then who shall be found carrying least sail.

1865 Med. Times & Gaz. 11 Feb. 147/2 In country districts like this, where the poor have the benefit of a good Hospital, we suspect they are best off when they are ill.

1928 Deaf-mute Population U.S. 1920 (U.S. Dept. Commerce, Bureau of Census) 89 The occupation in which male deaf-mutes appear best off is that of machinists.

1986 Daily Tel. 12 Apr. 19/5 We cannot say categorically that policyholders are best off staying with UK Provident.

2010 J. McGregor Even Dogs (2011) iii. 83 Them two you met yesterday,..you're best off steering well clear, they're both a bit mental.

2. With the. The most favourably placed, the best advantaged; the best provided.

ΚΠ

1755 J. Kidgell Card I. iii. 113 Lady Louisa quite cried, she was so violent mad. Simpson was the best off.

1790 tr. ‘E. Habesci’ Partition Dominions of Pope ii. 69 The States of Italy must not complain because I have not hitherto mentioned them. Venice excepted, I believe they will be the best off of any.

1892 Month 76 273 And, as for Theresa, she is the best off of the lot.

1909 P. G. Wodehouse Mike x. 59 ‘I want none of your charity,’ said Mr. Spence loftily. ‘You don't seem to realise that I'm the best off of you all.’

1981 J. M. Tanner Hist. Study Human Growth ix. 213 Children in the best-off of the five city wards..averaged 5 cm taller from age 5 to 8 than those in the worst-off ward.

2008 Swan Valley (Manitoba) Star & Times 12 Feb. c7/1 Colonel Burkhart passed away peacefully... From time-to-time Valley residents..have uttered quips like ‘Maybe the Colonel is the best off of all of us!’

B. adj.

In attributive use. Usually in form best-off. Most wealthy or well-to-do. Cf. better off adj., well off adj.

ΚΠ

1860 T. S. Arthur Allen House i. 14 The luxurious dwelling he had fitted up in a style of almost princely splendor, compared with the plain abode of even the best off people in town.

1947 Public Opinion Q. 11 331 The high antagonism of the best-off sections of the community..has tended to over-abuse of the Russians.

1993 New Republic 15 Mar. 17/2 The plan..concentrates its tax hikes on the best-off people.

2000 Econ. & Philos. 16 4 Any decrease in the benefits of a best-off person that leaves him/her still a best-off person.

C. n.

With the and plural agreement. Those who are in the most favourable or advantageous position; esp. people who are best off financially, considered as a class. Cf. better off n. 1, well off n.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > wealth > [noun] > rich or wealthy person > well-off person or people

subsidy man1591

subsidy citizen1607

well-to-passer1654

well to pass1695

havea1739

have-something1755

best off1824

well off1828

well-to-do1829

better-to-do1860

kulak1877

better off1895

have-got1897

1824 London Mag. Dec. 561/2 The best off among them set about to instruct their children in Turkish and Italian, and afterwards French.

1838 U.S. Mag. & Democratic Rev. Apr. 484 Poor things! It gave me great pain to look at them [sc. mules]—even the best off.

1994 Daily Tel. 25 Oct. 4/1 A minimum rate should be established to ensure that the best-off cannot escape by making use of allowances and loopholes.

2004 M. Huggins Victorians & Sport ii. 43 Skilled workers were often the first semi-professional players of soccer and rugby. The best off were well capable of appearing respectable hard-working labour aristocrats.

This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online December 2021).

单词	best off
释义	best offadv.adj.n. Brit. /ˌbɛst ˈɒf/, U.S. /ˈbɛst ˈɔf/, /ˈbɛst ˈɑf/ Origin: Formed within English, by compounding. Etymons: best adv., off adv. Etymology: < best adv. + off adv. Compare earlier better off adv., well off adv. A. adv. In predicative use. 1. In the most favourable or advantageous position; (now esp.) best provided with money or other resources. Cf. better off adv., well off adv. ΚΠ ?1736 E. Jones Luxury, Pride & Vanity (ed. 2) 11 They strive to seem what they really are not, and to think themselves best off when they are least known. 1838 Farmer's Mag. Dec. 463/2 When the next crisis comes..we must meet it as we best may. They will be best off then who shall be found carrying least sail. 1865 Med. Times & Gaz. 11 Feb. 147/2 In country districts like this, where the poor have the benefit of a good Hospital, we suspect they are best off when they are ill. 1928 Deaf-mute Population U.S. 1920 (U.S. Dept. Commerce, Bureau of Census) 89 The occupation in which male deaf-mutes appear best off is that of machinists. 1986 Daily Tel. 12 Apr. 19/5 We cannot say categorically that policyholders are best off staying with UK Provident. 2010 J. McGregor Even Dogs (2011) iii. 83 Them two you met yesterday,..you're best off steering well clear, they're both a bit mental. 2. With the. The most favourably placed, the best advantaged; the best provided. ΚΠ 1755 J. Kidgell Card I. iii. 113 Lady Louisa quite cried, she was so violent mad. Simpson was the best off. 1790 tr. ‘E. Habesci’ Partition Dominions of Pope ii. 69 The States of Italy must not complain because I have not hitherto mentioned them. Venice excepted, I believe they will be the best off of any. 1892 Month 76 273 And, as for Theresa, she is the best off of the lot. 1909 P. G. Wodehouse Mike x. 59 ‘I want none of your charity,’ said Mr. Spence loftily. ‘You don't seem to realise that I'm the best off of you all.’ 1981 J. M. Tanner Hist. Study Human Growth ix. 213 Children in the best-off of the five city wards..averaged 5 cm taller from age 5 to 8 than those in the worst-off ward. 2008 Swan Valley (Manitoba) Star & Times 12 Feb. c7/1 Colonel Burkhart passed away peacefully... From time-to-time Valley residents..have uttered quips like ‘Maybe the Colonel is the best off of all of us!’ B. adj. In attributive use. Usually in form best-off. Most wealthy or well-to-do. Cf. better off adj., well off adj. ΚΠ 1860 T. S. Arthur Allen House i. 14 The luxurious dwelling he had fitted up in a style of almost princely splendor, compared with the plain abode of even the best off people in town. 1947 Public Opinion Q. 11 331 The high antagonism of the best-off sections of the community..has tended to over-abuse of the Russians. 1993 New Republic 15 Mar. 17/2 The plan..concentrates its tax hikes on the best-off people. 2000 Econ. & Philos. 16 4 Any decrease in the benefits of a best-off person that leaves him/her still a best-off person. C. n. With the and plural agreement. Those who are in the most favourable or advantageous position; esp. people who are best off financially, considered as a class. Cf. better off n. 1, well off n. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > wealth > [noun] > rich or wealthy person > well-off person or people subsidy man1591 subsidy citizen1607 well-to-passer1654 well to pass1695 havea1739 have-something1755 best off1824 well off1828 well-to-do1829 better-to-do1860 kulak1877 better off1895 have-got1897 1824 London Mag. Dec. 561/2 The best off among them set about to instruct their children in Turkish and Italian, and afterwards French. 1838 U.S. Mag. & Democratic Rev. Apr. 484 Poor things! It gave me great pain to look at them [sc. mules]—even the best off. 1994 Daily Tel. 25 Oct. 4/1 A minimum rate should be established to ensure that the best-off cannot escape by making use of allowances and loopholes. 2004 M. Huggins Victorians & Sport ii. 43 Skilled workers were often the first semi-professional players of soccer and rugby. The best off were well capable of appearing respectable hard-working labour aristocrats. This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online December 2021). < adv.adj.n.?1736
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