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

Annie, a recent divorcée and, at best, a casual Boy Talk follower as a teenager, reluctantly agreed to accompany her younger sister, Katherine, on the cruise.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

So, a petition calling for a review of one its highest uptake subjects is at best difficult timing for the new body.

From BBC • May 11, 2026

There is a long tradition of wealthy, self-funding candidates, and the results are mixed at best.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

Yet enforcement of firearm relinquishment remains at best inconsistent and at worst nonexistent.

From Slate • Apr. 25, 2026

They called it Charlie Company, but it wasn’t really anything more than three squads at best.

From "Fallen Angels" by Walter Dean Myers

Related Words

• at least
• partially
• slightly
• somewhat