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.

Or is he trying to suggest to the Iranian leadership they had better agree a deal or face worse consequences?

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

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

They had better hope their bankers don’t turn off the taps, too.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 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

“You had better come to my house,” said the man.

From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens

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