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all for the best

Idioms  
  1. Also, for the best. Best in the long run, despite appearances to the contrary. It is often a response to an unhappy outcome, as in They had to sell their business, but since they weren't making money it's probably for the best, or The dress had been sold when she went back, but since it was a little too tight it's all for the best. [Late 1300s]


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

This is all for the best, but I am nonetheless grateful for having been exposed to Gilman’s unadulterated critical sensibility.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 14, 2023

While it was all for the best, we couldn't help but feel down about it.

From Salon Jul. 10, 2021

“This is all for the best of two friendly countries,” he said.

From Slate Aug. 28, 2018

He clearly relishes the thin air at the season’s peaks, which is all for the best, because he could hardly ask for a tougher climb than the one he faces on Sunday.

From New York Times Jun. 9, 2017

Something in me is cracking open, the light coming through is so bright it hurts, and the rest of me is still here, wounded, even though I know it's all for the best.

From "We Are Okay" by Nina LaCour

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