BEST OF Meaning and
Definition
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The term "best of" refers to a compilation or selection of the highest quality or most outstanding examples within a specific category or domain. It is used to describe a collection or group of elements that are deemed superior or top-rated when compared to others.
In various contexts, "best of" can be employed to refer to a range of things, such as entertainment, products, achievements, or experiences. For instance, in the realm of music, "best of" typically designates a compilation album featuring the most popular or critically acclaimed songs of a particular artist or band. Similarly, in the world of literature, the term might be used to describe a collection of an author's most renowned and well-received works.
In the corporate world, "best of" is frequently associated with accolades or awards presented to exceptional companies or individuals, recognizing their exceptional performances, accomplishments, or innovations in a specific field. It serves as a recognition of superiority, skill, or achievement and is often sought after as a means of establishing credibility or gaining prestige.
Moreover, "best of" can be adopted to describe a person's skills, qualities, or attributes when they exceed those of others. This might be emphasized in fields such as sports, arts, or academics, where individuals are acknowledged for being the best in their respective areas of expertise.
Overall, the term "best of" denotes excellence, superiority, and preeminence within a particular category, offering a concise way to refer to the most exceptional or highest-rated elements within a group or domain.
Etymology of BEST OF
The phrase "best of" is a combination of the superlative adjective "best" and the preposition "of".
The word "best" has its roots in Old English, where it was originally spelled as "betst" or "bæst". It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "batistaz", meaning "best" or "first". This, in turn, comes from the Proto-Indo-European root word "bhād", which means "good" or "auspicious".
The preposition "of" has its roots in Old English as well, derived from the Proto-Germanic word "af". It is related to other Germanic languages such as German "von" and Dutch "van", all meaning "of" or "from".
When combined together, "best of" simply means "the best from" or "the best of a group or selection".
Idioms with the word BEST OF
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get the best of (something)
To "get the best of (something)" means to gain an advantage or benefit from a situation or to come out on top in a given circumstance.
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the best of friends must part
This idiom means that even close friends will sometimes have to separate or go their own ways.
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to the best of (one's) knowledge
To the best of (one's) knowledge means as far as one knows or understands based on the information they have.
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with the best of them
The idiom "with the best of them" means to perform or excel at a certain activity as well as or better than others who are highly skilled or experienced in that activity.
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the best of British
The idiom "the best of British" refers to something of exceptionally high quality or excellence, often associated with traditional British values of craftsmanship, class, and sophistication.
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best of a bad lot
"Best of a bad lot" is an idiom that means the least unsatisfactory or most desirable option or choice among a group of unpleasant or undesirable options. It often implies settling for something that is not ideal but is the most acceptable out of a poor selection.
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to the best of
To the best of someone's ability; as fully or accurately as one can.
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get the best of you
The idiom "get the best of you" means to overpower or overwhelm someone, causing them to lose control of their emotions or behavior. It can also refer to a situation or circumstance that is causing someone to be unable to handle or cope with a particular challenge or stress.
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get the best of (one)
To overcome or outwit someone in a situation; to defeat or gain an advantage over someone.
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best of both worlds, the
The best of both worlds is a situation in which someone is able to enjoy all the advantages and benefits of two different things at the same time.
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best of the bunch
The idiom "best of the bunch" is used to refer to someone or something that is the most outstanding or superior in a group of people or things. It means that out of a group of options, the one being referred to is the most exceptional or impressive.
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make the best of
To make the best of something means to accept a situation that is not ideal and try to make it as good as possible. It involves finding the positive aspects and making the most out of a challenging or difficult situation.
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have the best of sm or sth
To have the best of someone or something is to have all the positive qualities or advantages that they possess. It means to be in a position where one is able to benefit the most from someone or something.
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get/have the best of something
To get or have the best of something means to have the most desirable or advantageous aspects or qualities of that thing. It can refer to obtaining the highest quality, the most benefits, or the most favorable outcome.
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make the best of a bad job
To make the best of a bad job means to accept and try to improve a difficult or undesirable situation. It refers to making the most out of a less than ideal circumstance and finding ways to cope with it positively.
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(Even) the best of friends must part.
This idiom means that even the closest and strongest friendships may come to an end, as life circumstances or other factors may cause people to go their separate ways.
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have the best of
To have control over a situation or to be in a favorable position in a particular situation.
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to the best of one's ability
To the best of one's ability means to do something as well as one can, using all the skills and resources at one's disposal.
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best of both worlds
The idiom "best of both worlds" refers to a situation where someone has the benefits or advantages of two different options or possibilities simultaneously.
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make the best of something/it
To make the best of something means to handle a situation as well as possible, even if it is not ideal, and to try to get something positive out of it. It is about accepting a difficult or challenging situation and finding a way to make it more bearable or beneficial.
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have the best of (something)
To have the most enjoyable or favorable aspect of something; to experience the most positive or advantageous part of a situation or opportunity.
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in the best of health
When someone is in the best of health, it means they are in excellent physical and mental condition, feeling good and not suffering from any illnesses or health issues.
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the best of a bad lot
The best of a bad lot means the most favorable or desirable option among a group of unappealing or inadequate choices.
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get the best of
To gain an advantage over someone or something; to defeat or outperform someone or something.
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the best of three, five, etc.
"The best of three, five, etc." is an idiom used to describe a competition or contest in which the winner is determined by whoever wins the specified number of rounds out of a series.
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best of both possible worlds
The idiom "best of both possible worlds" means having the advantages or benefits of two different things at the same time. It refers to a situation where one is able to enjoy the positive aspects of two different options simultaneously.
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the best of the lot
"The best of the lot" is an idiom that refers to something or someone being superior or the most excellent among a group or selection of similar things or people. It indicates that the chosen item or individual is of the highest quality, skill, or desirability compared to others in the same category.
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the best of the best
The idiom "the best of the best" is used to describe something or someone that is superior or of the highest quality among a group of outstanding options or individuals.
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with the best of intentions
The idiom "with the best of intentions" means that someone has good intentions or aims to do something good, even if the outcome may not be as intended or expected.
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make the best of it
To make the best of it means to accept a situation or circumstance that is not ideal and try to improve it or make it as enjoyable as possible.
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the best of British (luck)
"The best of British (luck)" is an idiomatic expression used to wish someone good luck or success, typically in a challenging or difficult situation. It is a way of encouraging someone to keep a positive attitude and hope for the best outcome.
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make the best of things
To make the best of things means to try to improve a difficult or challenging situation by being positive, resourceful, and making the most of what you have.
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be the best of a bad lot
Be the most skilled or valuable member of a group of unimpressive or undesirable options.
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even in the best of times
The idiom "even in the best of times" is used to emphasize that a particular situation is difficult, tough, or challenging, even when circumstances are otherwise favorable or positive. It suggests that despite the good conditions, there are still challenges or problems that need to be addressed.
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make the best of a bad bargain
To make the best of a bad bargain means to accept a situation that is not ideal and try to improve it or make the most of it. It involves adapting to unfavorable circumstances and finding some positive aspects or potential benefits despite the challenges or difficulties.
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to the best of my recollection
The idiom "to the best of my recollection" means based on what one can remember or recall at the present moment. It is a way to qualify a statement by acknowledging that one may not be able to remember all the details accurately.
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the best of both worlds
The idiom "the best of both worlds" refers to a situation in which someone enjoys the advantages of two different things at the same time. It signifies having the benefits of two different options without having to give up anything.
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at the best of times
The idiom "at the best of times" is used to describe a situation or circumstance that is already positive or optimal. It suggests that the current situation, even in its most favorable conditions, is still challenging or less than ideal.
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the best of luck (with something)
The idiom "the best of luck (with something)" is used to wish someone good fortune and success in a particular endeavor or situation. It is a way of expressing hope that things will turn out well for the person in question.
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be the best of a bad bunch/lot
The idiom "be the best of a bad bunch/lot" means to be the most acceptable or desirable option among a group of unpleasant or undesirable options. It is often used to describe a situation where none of the available choices are ideal, but one is still better than the others.
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make the best of something/things/a bad job
To make the best of something/things/a bad job means to try to improve a difficult or unpleasant situation by focusing on the positive aspects and making the most of what you have. It involves finding a way to deal with a less than ideal circumstance in a positive and constructive manner.
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to the best of (one's) belief
The idiom "to the best of (one's) belief" means to the extent that one is certain or convinced of something based on their knowledge or understanding. It implies that the information being presented is believed to be true or accurate by the speaker to the best of their ability.
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the best of both/all worlds
The idiom "the best of both/all worlds" refers to a situation where someone enjoys the advantages or benefits of multiple options or possibilities simultaneously. It means having the most ideal or favorable aspects of two or more different conditions, choices, or opportunities.
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make the best of a bad situation
To make the best of a bad situation means to try to find something positive or advantageous in a difficult or unpleasant circumstance and to handle it as effectively and optimistically as possible.
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the best of luck
Wishing someone good luck and success in a particular situation.
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to the best of your knowledge/belief
To the best of your knowledge/belief means as far as you know or believe to be true based on the information available to you at the time. It implies that the speaker is providing information or making a statement based on their own understanding or opinion, but acknowledges that there may be some uncertainty or potential for error.
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to the best of ability
To the best of ability means to do something to the highest level of capability or skill that one possesses. It indicates giving one's best effort or performing at one's highest level of competence.
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be the best of a bad bunch
The idiom "be the best of a bad bunch" means to be the most competent, skilled, or desirable among a group of people or things that are all of poor quality or lacking in some way. It indicates that while the individual or thing in question may not be perfect, it is still superior or preferable in comparison to the others in the same category.
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the best of a bad bunch
The idiom "the best of a bad bunch" refers to a situation where one option or choice is the most desirable or least bad among a group of undesirable choices or options.
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to the best of your belief/knowledge
The phrase "to the best of your belief/knowledge" means that the information or answer given is based on what the person believes to be true or knows to be accurate at the time of speaking. It acknowledges that there may be some uncertainty or room for error in the information being provided.
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have the best of someone or something
To have the best of someone or something means to gain a superior advantage or benefit over them/it. It implies being in a position of control or power over the person or situation. It can also refer to getting the most favorable or desirable outcome in a given situation.
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have/get the best of something
To have or get the best of something means to gain an advantage or come out ahead in a situation or competition. It can also mean to fully enjoy or benefit from something.
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the best of a bad bunch/lot
The idiom "the best of a bad bunch/lot" refers to being the most desirable or least undesirable option among a group of choices that are all subpar or unappealing.
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best of luck
The expression "best of luck" is used to wish someone well and convey hope for success or good fortune in a particular situation.
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the best of men are but men at best
This idiom means that even the most virtuous or admirable individuals are still imperfect and fallible human beings.
