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most
at the most
1. No more or greater than the amount stated. I think we should just book the tickets. If we buy them now, they'll only cost us a few hundred dollars at the most.
2. No greater or more extreme than is stated or suggested. I wouldn't worry too much about the charges. At the most, they'll make you do some community service or pay a fine.
the most unkindest cut of all
The most hurtful or malicious thing that one could say to another. The phrase orginated in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar in a description of Caesar's murder. Hearing my own mother attack my decision to adopt a child was the most unkindest cut of all.
they that live longest see most
Older people have had a lot of life experiences. You can always learn something from your elders—they that live longest see most.
at best
1. In the best possible scenario. At best, Doug will be only an hour late. They're only selling junk at the yard sale, so I think they'll make $10 at best.
2. Ideally suited for success. In this usage, a pronoun is used between "at" and "best." I'm not at my best when I'm tired.
at most
At the maximum. The beach really isn't far away—at most, it should take us an hour to get there. I hope you're not disappointed in your dance—I only saw two mistakes at most.
at best
and at mostin the most favorable view; in the most positive judgment; as the best one can say. At best we found their visit pleasantly short. The dinner was not at all pleasant. At best the food was not burned. At most there were three people in line ahead of me.
at one's best
1. and at its best to the utmost; to the highest degree possible. This restaurant serves gourmet food at its best. The singer was at her best when she performed ballads.
2. in the best of health; displaying the most civilized behavior. (Often in the negative.) He's at his best after a good nap. I'm not at my best when I'm angry.
at (the) most
no more than the amount mentioned. A: How far away is the beach? B: Ten miles at most. At the most, there were only 15 people in the audience.
busiest men have the most leisure
and busiest men find the most timeProv. Industrious people get their work done efficiently and therefore have time to do what they want. Fred: How does Phil do it? He produces more than the rest of us, but he also manages to pursue all his hobbies. Alan: The busiest men have the most leisure. As the town's only doctor, Bert worked extremely hard, yet he always had time to play with his children and go out with his wife. The busiest men find the most time.
Empty vessels make the most sound.
Prov. Foolish people make the most noise. I suspect Amy is not very smart. She chatters constantly, and as they say, empty vessels make the most sound.
First impressions are the most lasting.
Prov. People will remember the way you appear when you first meet them, so it is important to look and act your best when you meet someone for the first time. George spent two hours picking just the right clothes to wear when he met the head of the law firm, since he knew that first impressions are the most lasting.
firstest with the mostest
the earliest and in the largest numbers; the earliest with more of what's needed. Pete got the prize for being the firstest with the mostest. I always like to be there early—the firstest with the mostest.
for the most part
mostly; in general. For the most part, the class is enjoying geometry. I like working here for the most part.
get out of (doing) something
to manage not to have to do something. I was supposed to go to a wedding, but I got out of it. Jane had an appointment, but she got out of it.
get someone or something out of someone or something
and get someone or something outto release or extricate someone or something from someone, something, or some place. See if you can get the cat out of this cabinet. I can't get the nail out of the board. I can get out almost anything with my pry bar.
get something out of someone
to cause or force someone to give specific information. We will get the truth out of her yet. The detective couldn't get anything out of the suspect. They got a confession out of him by beating him.
get something out of something
to get some kind of benefit from something. I didn't get anything out of the lecture. I'm always able to get something helpful out of our conversations.
get the most out of someone or something
to achieve the greatest output of work, effort, production, etc., out of someone or something. I do what I can to get the most out of life. I try to get the most out of my employees.
make the most of something
to make something appear as good as possible; to exploit something; to get as much out of something as is possible. Mary knows how to make the most of her talents. They designed the advertisements to make the most of the product's features.
most of all
of greatest importance; more than any other. (Compare this with least of all.) I wanted to go to that museum most of all. Why can't I go? There are many reasons why I didn't use my car today. Most of all, it's a lovely day for walking.
at best
in the most satisfactory conditions This truce could last only a short time at best and, at worst, would fall apart in a week.
Opposite of: at worstat your best
showing your most positive characteristics It was kind of a bad day for me and I wasn't at my best.
get out of something/doing something
to find a way to avoid something that you should do If I can get out of going to the meeting tonight, I will. She has play practice this evening, and there's no way she can get out of it.
get something out of somebody
to cause someone to provide information If you don't tell me what happened I'll just get it out of your sister. It was not easy to get the truth out of her.
get something out of something/doing something
to experience something as a result of an activity What did you get out of reading this book? We get a lot of pleasure out of travel.
at (the) most
no more than We have at most a week to get the report ready. The dog weighs only 20 pounds at the most. At the most they probably spend five hours a week in their class.
make the most of something
to use or enjoy something as much as possible We're only in Paris for a day so let's make the most of it.
for the most part
mostly or generally by and large This town has always been considered safe, and for the most part, it still is.
Empty vessels make (the) most noise/sound.
something that you say which means that people who talk a lot and frequently express their opinions are often stupid David talks as if he's an expert on everything, but empty vessels make most noise.
make the most of something
to take full advantage of something because it may not last long Make the most of the good weather because rain is forecast for tomorrow. There'll be a lot of travelling involved in my new job and I plan to make the most of it.
at best
Under the most favorable circumstances, as in
At best we'll be just one week behind schedule, or
Cleaning out the attic is a tedious job at best. This idiom, formerly also put as
at the best, today is most often used in situations that are actually far from ideal, as in the examples above. [First half of 1300s] For an antonym, see
at worst.
at most
Also,
at the most or at the outside . At the largest amount, the furthest limit; also, in the most extreme case. For example,
She'll be finished in two weeks at the most, or
It'll take two weeks at the outside, or
At most the chef uses a tiny bit of pepper. The terms with
most date from the 1300s;
at the outside from the mid-1800s. Also see
at best.
at the most
for the most part
In general, usually. For example,
For the most part she is very good-humored, or
The committee members agree for the most part. [Late 1300s] Also see the synonyms
by and large;
on the whole.
get out of
1. Emerge or escape from, as in
I hate to get out of bed on cold mornings or
He'll be lucky to get out of this mess. [First half of 1500s] Also see
get out, def. 1.
2. Go beyond, as in
The cat had climbed into the tree; she'd gotten well out of my reach. [First half of 1600s] Also see
out of control;
out of sight.
3. Evade or avoid, as in
He tried to get out of answering their questions, or
Please get out of the way so we can pass. [Late 1800s] Also see
out of the way.
4. Elicit or draw out something from someone. For example, I can't get a straight answer out of him, or Getting a contribution out of her is like pulling teeth. [First half of 1600s]
5. Get rid of something, remove, as in
Get these cats out of the house, or
I can't get this melody out of my head. Also see
out of one's system.
6. Extract from, obtain from. For example,
You can get a lot of juice out of these oranges, or
She got little or nothing out of this investment. It is also put as
get the most out of, meaning "use to the greatest advantage," as in
He gets the most out of his staff. [Second half of 1600s] Also see
get a bang out of;
get a rise out of;
get mileage out of.
make the most of
Use to the greatest advantage, as in She planned to make the most of her trip to Europe, or The class quickly made the most of the teacher's absence. This expression was first recorded in 1526.
the firstest with the mostest
mod. the earliest and in the largest numbers; the earliest with more of what’s needed. Pete got the prize for being the firstest with the mostest.
the most
n. something that is the best. This noodle stuff is the most, Mom!
at best
1. Interpreted most favorably; at the most: no more than 40 people at best in attendance.
2. Under the most favorable conditions: has a top speed of 20 miles per hour at best.
make the most of
To use to the greatest advantage.
at (the) most
At the maximum: We saw him for ten minutes at the most. She ran two miles at most.
for the most part
To the greater extent; generally or mostly.
Common Names:
| Name | Gender | Pronounced | Usage |
|---|
| Batel | | baht-EL | Hebrew |
| Elio | | E-lyo | Italian |
| Otis | | O-tis | English |
| Made | | - | Indonesian, Balinese |
| Rudi | | - | German, Hungarian |
| Maximino | | mahk-see-MEE-no (Spanish) | Spanish, Portuguese |