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

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

Ideally, that should leave Jimmy just one safety-man to race to the goal line�and if worst comes to worst, safeties do not weigh 260 Ibs.

From Time Magazine Archive

Meet union with union, strength with strength, and, if worst comes to worst, fight with fight.

From The Blue Goose by Nason, Frank Lewis

"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.]