at best

Idioms  

1. 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.

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Example Sentences

The idea of artificial intelligence, let alone a personal computer, was a fantasy at best.

From Salon

Sunday's 3-0 win over fellow relegation strugglers Tottenham arrived as a major boost – but there is no escaping the fact the club's season has been underwhelming at best.

From BBC

“A drop in oil could start to lead to a drop in gasoline prices around midweek at best,” he said.

From MarketWatch

Several of the chapters, about particle accelerators and fusion reactors, take readers on cursory tours of facilities that have at best a tangential connection to space.

From The Wall Street Journal

Those are staggering numbers for movies that are, at best, just fine.

From Salon

Related Words

• at least
• partially
• slightly
• somewhat