if worst comes to worst

Idioms  

1. Also, if worse comes to worst. In the least favorable situation, if the worst possible outcome occurs. For example, If worst comes to worst and the budget is not approved, the government will shut down, or Go ahead and go to school with a cold; if worse comes to worst the teacher will send you home. This expression is nearly always followed by a solution. [Late 1500s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

if worst comes to worst

Meanwhile, all I'm hearing is people telling me to quit worrying about it because it's all over now, and anyway, if worst comes to worst, we can always go hide over there in that garage.

From Salon ● Nov. 19, 2020

And, if worst comes to worst on their German front, they have another Russia between the Urals and the Pacific, bigger than all of European Russia and the U.S. combined.

From Time Magazine Archive

Oh, if worst comes to worst, the American consul will forward us to New York.

From The Lure of the Mask by Fisher, Harrison

"But if worst comes to worst I can burn kerosene in my motor," Tom explained, for he had perfected an attachment to this end.

From Tom Swift and His Air Glider, or Seeking the Platinum Treasure by Appleton, Victor [pseud.]

She will flavour our last draught with it if worst comes to worst.

From Cardigan by Chambers, Robert W. (Robert William)