To make the best of

To make the best of
Best Best, n. Utmost; highest endeavor or state; most nearly perfect thing, or being, or action; as, to do one's best; to the best of our ability. [1913 Webster]

{At best}, in the utmost degree or extent applicable to the case; under the most favorable circumstances; as, life is at best very short.

{For best}, finally. [Obs.] ``Those constitutions . . . are now established for best, and not to be mended.'' --Milton.

{To get the best of}, to gain an advantage over, whether fairly or unfairly.

{To make the best of}. (a) To improve to the utmost; to use or dispose of to the greatest advantage. ``Let there be freedom to carry their commodities where they can make the best of them.'' --Bacon. (b) To reduce to the least possible inconvenience; as, to make the best of ill fortune or a bad bargain. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • make the best of — {v. phr.} To do something you do not like to do and not complain; accept with good humor. * /The girl did not like to wash dishes but she made the best of it./ Compare: MAKE A VIRTUE OF NECESSITY …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • make the best of — {v. phr.} To do something you do not like to do and not complain; accept with good humor. * /The girl did not like to wash dishes but she made the best of it./ Compare: MAKE A VIRTUE OF NECESSITY …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • To get the best of — Best Best, n. Utmost; highest endeavor or state; most nearly perfect thing, or being, or action; as, to do one s best; to the best of our ability. [1913 Webster] {At best}, in the utmost degree or extent applicable to the case; under the most… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • make the most of — phrasal to show or use to the best advantage …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • To get the best of — Get Get (g[e^]t), v. t. [imp. {Got} (g[o^]t) (Obs. {Gat} (g[a^]t)); p. p. {Got} (Obsolescent {Gotten} (g[o^]t t n)); p. pr. & vb. n. {Getting}.] [OE. geten, AS. gitan, gietan (in comp.); akin to Icel. geta, Goth. bigitan to find, L. prehendere to …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Best — Best, n. Utmost; highest endeavor or state; most nearly perfect thing, or being, or action; as, to do one s best; to the best of our ability. [1913 Webster] {At best}, in the utmost degree or extent applicable to the case; under the most… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • make a virtue of necessity — {v. phr.} Make the best of things as they are; do cheerfully what you do. * /After Mr. Wilson lost all his money, he made a virtue of necessity and found a new and interesting life as a teacher./ Compare: MAKE THE BEST OF …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • make a virtue of necessity — {v. phr.} Make the best of things as they are; do cheerfully what you do. * /After Mr. Wilson lost all his money, he made a virtue of necessity and found a new and interesting life as a teacher./ Compare: MAKE THE BEST OF …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • To put the best foot foremost — Foot Foot (f[oo^]t), n.; pl. {Feet} (f[=e]t). [OE. fot, foot, pl. fet, feet. AS. f[=o]t, pl. f[=e]t; akin to D. voet, OHG. fuoz, G. fuss, Icel. f[=o]tr, Sw. fot, Dan. fod, Goth. f[=o]tus, L. pes, Gr. poy s, Skr. p[=a]d, Icel. fet step, pace… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • make — I. verb (made; making) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English macian; akin to Old High German mahhōn to prepare, make, Greek magēnai to be kneaded, Old Church Slavic mazati to anoint, smear Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. a.… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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