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.

She said she thought she had better call her to "make sure everything's okay".

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

The U.S. had better exposure to technology and innovation, a more relaxed regulatory environment, and generally greater profitability.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

Whoever is given the job of informing him of that had better take a handful of sedatives and a crowbar to pry the president off the wall of the Oval Office.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

“Wish I had better news, son. I’m just an old grease monkey, but I’ve been climbing around boat engines for long enough to know the score.”

From "The Young Man and the Sea" by Rodman Philbrick

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