At best means in the best case. It names the most hopeful outcome and makes clear it's a modest one: At best, the repair will give us another month. Next to an adjective it becomes criticism: The connection was unreliable at best, that is, to put it kindly, it was unreliable. It often comes in a pair: incomplete at best and misleading at worst.
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at best, + clause / adjective or estimate + at best
- The connection was unreliable at best.
- At best, the repair will give us another month.
- His explanation was incomplete at best and misleading at worst.
What changed
First versionAt the best, the repair will give us another month.
RevisionAt best, the repair will give us another month.
In English best usually comes with the, so at the best looks right. But this expression has no article: at best. Without the, it's the fixed phrase.
At least means 'anyway, as a minimum': At least we tried. At best is the ceiling of what you can expect: We'll get ten people at best, so no more than ten will come.
Your turn
Even in the most favourable case, the task will take two days. Choose: ___, it will take two days.
Show the answer
At best — The sentence is about the most favourable case, so it's At best. At worst would describe the worst-case scenario.
A friend hopes their flat renovation will take a week. Give a realistic forecast in one sentence with at best.
At best, the work will take a month, and that's if nothing goes wrong.
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