at best

Idioms and Phrases

Under 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 .

Example Sentences

I thought not, however, so much of his feelings as of hers, for I think his care for women is but skin-deep at-best.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• at least
• partially
• slightly
• somewhat