Make the best of means to get as much good as you can out of a situation that isn't ideal: to accept it and stay positive. People say it about things they can't change: bad weather, a cramped flat, a cancelled flight. Make the best of a bad situation means not giving up and getting as much as possible out of something bad.
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make the best of + it/a bad situation/what you have; make the best of things
- It rained all week in Sochi, so we made the best of it and visited every museum.
- The hotel room was tiny, but we decided to make the best of it.
- Our budget is small this year, so we'll have to make the best of what we have.
What changed
First versionThe flat is noisy, but we'll make the best from it.
RevisionThe flat is noisy, but we'll make the best of it.
You get something out of the situation, so from can look logical. But this phrase always takes of: make the best of it. The correction only changes the preposition.
Make the most of means to use something good to the full: an opportunity, a day off, sunny weather. We have one sunny day, so let's make the most of it. Make the best of is about bad luck you get through with as little loss as possible: It's raining, but let's make the best of it.
Your turn
The rain ruined our picnic, so we moved into the car and ___ it with hot tea and sandwiches.
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made the best of — The rain ruined the picnic, but they saved it with tea in the car: made the best of it. This phrase always takes of, so from is a mistake here.
Describe a situation that didn't go to plan. Say what happened and how you made the best of it.
When my train was delayed for three hours, I made the best of it and finished my book in the station café.
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