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 result is a metaphysical model that, at best, lacks clarity, and at worst obscures the very nature of reality.

From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026

The disturbing thing is that it’s a question whose answer, to any well-read observer, is uncertain at best.

From Slate • May 27, 2026

The record of the very largest IPOs is spotty at best.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

Cloudier skies are likely to keep temperatures at around the low 20s at best.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

He understood that sometimes you did things out of necessity, things that were horrible, or underhanded at best, things you wouldn’t do if you had a choice.

From "The Reader" by Traci Chee

Related Words

• at least
• partially
• slightly
• somewhat