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had better

Idioms

Also, had best. Ought to, should. For example, You had better finish this one before starting another, or We had best be going. [Mid-1400s] Also see you'd better believe it.

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.

Researchers suggest that wealthier individuals may have had better living conditions, which could have helped them survive tuberculosis longer.

From Science Daily • Mar. 13, 2026

"I've had better days," the exhausted looking singer told fans from his hospital bed.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

Ultimately, it shows us something that we as a nation had better come to grips with sooner rather than later.

From Salon • Feb. 27, 2026

“One had better make one’s peace with that very quickly. If you don’t, you will get your feelings hurt. It’ll be a problem.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2026

Elizabeth had better get here fast with her mom.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023