| 释义 |
at best
best B0211000 (bĕst)adj.Superlative of good1. Surpassing all others in excellence, achievement, or quality; most excellent: the best performer; the best grade of ore.2. Most satisfactory, suitable, or useful; most desirable: the best solution; the best time for planting.3. Greatest; most: He spoke for the best part of an hour.4. Most highly skilled: the best doctor in town.adv.Superlative of well21. In a most excellent way; most creditably or advantageously.2. To the greatest degree or extent; most: "He was certainly the best hated man in the ship" (W. Somerset Maugham).n.1. One that surpasses all others.2. The best part, moment, or value: The best is still to come. Let's get the best out of life.3. The optimum condition or quality: look your best. She was at her best in the freestyle competition.4. One's nicest or most formal clothing.5. The supreme effort one can make: doing our best.6. One's warmest wishes or regards: Give them my best.tr.v. best·ed, best·ing, bests To get the better of; beat: "I'm a rough customer, I expect, but I know when I'm bested" (Nathanael West).Idioms: at best1. Interpreted most favorably; at the most: no more than 40 people at best in attendance.2. Under the most favorable conditions: has a top speed of 20 miles per hour at best. for the best With an ultimately positive or preferable result. get/have the best of To outdo or outwit; defeat: My opponent got the best of me in the debate. make the best of To accept (a bad situation) in as good a light as possible.
[Middle English, from Old English betst; see bhad- in Indo-European roots.]Usage Note: According to a traditional rule of grammar, better, not best, should be used in comparisons between two things: Which house of Congress has the better attendance record? This rule is often ignored in practice, but it still has many devoted adherents. In certain fixed expressions, however, best is used idiomatically for comparisons between two: Put your best foot forward. May the best team win! See Usage Notes at have, rather.Thesaurus| Adv. | 1. | at best - under the best of conditions; "at best we'll lose only the money"at the bestat the worst, at worst - under the worst of conditions; "at worst we'll go to jail" |
Translationsat best
at (one's) bestIn one's prime, most positive, or most adept condition or state. I am not a morning person, and I won't be at my best until at least noon. He was at his best about five years ago, but his performance has really started to decline lately. She was at her best in the new film.at best1. In the best possible scenario. At best, Doug will be only an hour late. They're only selling junk at the yard sale, so I think they'll make $10 at best.2. Ideally suited for success. In this usage, a pronoun is used between "at" and "best." I'm not at my best when I'm tired.at its bestOf or at the highest standard of quality possible. You'll love their new album; it's simply jazz at its best.at best and at mostin the most favorable view; in the most positive judgment; as the best one can say. At best we found their visit pleasantly short. The dinner was not at all pleasant. At best the food was not burned. At most there were three people in line ahead of me.at one's best 1. and at its best to the utmost; to the highest degree possible. This restaurant serves gourmet food at its best. The singer was at her best when she performed ballads. 2. in the best of health; displaying the most civilized behavior. (Often in the negative.) He's at his best after a good nap. I'm not at my best when I'm angry.at bestUnder the most favorable circumstances, as in At best we'll be just one week behind schedule, or Cleaning out the attic is a tedious job at best. This idiom, formerly also put as at the best, today is most often used in situations that are actually far from ideal, as in the examples above. [First half of 1300s] For an antonym, see at worst. at one's bestIn one's most excellent state or condition. For example, The photographer tried hard to show the bride at her best. [1500s] at ˈbest/ˈworst taking the most/least hopeful or positive view: Smoking is at best unpleasant and expensive, and at worst lethal.See also: worst at best1. Interpreted most favorably; at the most: no more than 40 people at best in attendance.2. Under the most favorable conditions: has a top speed of 20 miles per hour at best.EncyclopediaSeeBestMedicalSeeBESTat best
Synonyms for at bestadv under the best of conditionsSynonymsAntonyms |