at best

Idioms  

1. Under the most favorable circumstances, as in At best we'll be just one week behind schedule, or Cleaning out the attic is a tedious job at best. This idiom, formerly also put as at the best, today is most often used in situations that are actually far from ideal, as in the examples above. [First half of 1300s] For an antonym, see at worst.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

at best

Rheon said make-up artists used heavy moisturiser to portray characters sweating - with the actual weather conditions "changeable" at best - as they filmed the BBC portrayal of Liz Jensen's bestselling novel.

From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026

In the 2001 trial, Giaka was to be a "key" witness in the prosecution's case but the four judges described some of his evidence as "at best grossly exaggerated and at worst simply untrue".

From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026

Unlike the other peptides, there are some studies assessing its clinical effectiveness; however, they were all conducted in the ’80s and ’90s, and the FDA described the results as “inconclusive and at best preliminary.”

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026

And despite its legality, since the early 1990s, in all 50 states, national statistics offer at best an incomplete picture.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

Because no other options occur to me, I return to school—a temporary solution at best.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen

Related Words

• at least
• partially
• slightly
• somewhat