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best3
1
the best
a) the most helpful, most successful etc situation or results that you can achieve : 
We all want the best for our children.It's the best we can do in the circumstances.
We all want the best for our children.It's the best we can do in the circumstances.b) the person or thing that is better than any other : She's the best of the new young writers.
She's the best of the new young writers.2 to try as hard as you can to do something : As long as you do your best, we'll be happy.
do your best
As long as you do your best, we'll be happy.3 used to emphasize that something is not very good, pleasant, honest etc even if you consider it in the best possible way : The campaign was at best only partially successful. The technique is at best ineffective and at worst dangerous.
at best
The campaign was at best only partially successful.The technique is at best ineffective and at worst dangerous.4 used to say that something is as much as you know, believe, or are able to do : I'm sure he'll do the work to the best of his ability.
to the best of your ability/knowledge/belief etc
I'm sure he'll do the work to the best of his ability.6 used to mean that someone does something with good intentions or for good reasons, even if the result is not always good : I'm sure he went there with the best of intentions.
with the best of intentions/for the best of reasons
I'm sure he went there with the best of intentions.7 a situation in which you have the advantages of two different things without any of the disadvantages : They live in a village but it's only an hour from London so they have the best of both worlds.
the best of both worlds
They live in a village but it's only an hour from London so they have the best of both worlds.8 performing as well or effectively as you are able to : At her best, she's a really stylish player. He was never at his best early in the morning.
at your best
At her best, she's a really stylish player.He was never at his best early in the morning.9 to accept a situation which is not very good, and do whatever you can to make it better : We are stuck here so we might as well make the best of it.
make the best of something
We are stuck here so we might as well make the best of it. make the best of a bad job/situation etc British English
11 if something is not very good, pleasant etc at the best of times, it is usually even worse than this : It's crowded at the best of times but today it was unbearable.
at the best of times
It's crowded at the best of times but today it was unbearable.12 the least bad person or thing in a group of not very good people or things
the best of a bad lot/bunch
British English13 used to say that a particular event may seem bad now, but might have a good result later : I still don't want him to go but maybe it's for the best.
be for the best
especially spokenI still don't want him to go but maybe it's for the best.
