all the best! Definition

all
adj

1. The whole amount, number or extent of something; every.
2. The greatest possible.

Example: run with all speed
3. Any whatever.

Example: beyond all doubt

noun

1. Every one of the people or things concerned; the whole of something.
2. One's whole strength, resources, etc.

Example: give one's all

adverb

1. Entirely; quite.
2. colloq
Very.
Example: go all shy
3. Used in giving the score in various games: on each side. See also a'.

Example: 30 all

Idiom: all along

The whole time.
Thesaurus: from the beginning, all the time, constantly, regularly.

Idiom: all and sundry

Everyone.

Idiom: all but ...

Very nearly ....
Example: He all but drowned

Idiom: all for something

Extremely enthusiastic about it.

Idiom: all found

Said of accommodation charges: including all possible extra costs, such as meals, electricity and laundry.

Idiom: all in

colloq
Exhausted.

With all expenses included.

Idiom: all in all

Considering everything.

Idiom: all over

Finished.

Idiom: all over someone

colloq
Excessively demonstrative towards them.

Idiom: all over something

Everywhere in or on it.
Example: all over the world

Idiom: all over the place

colloq
In a disorganized muddle.

Derivative: all right

See separate entry.

Idiom: all systems go!

Everything is in working order or ready to start.

Idiom: all that ... (as ... as all that)

Note: with negatives and in questions
Particularly ....
Example: He's not as bad as all that

Idiom: all the best!

colloq
Good luck!

Idiom: all there

colloq
Note: usually with negatives
Completely sane; mentally alert.

Idiom: all the same

See under same.

Idiom: all told

Including everyone or everything.
Thesaurus: in all, altogether, on the whole, in toto.

Taking everything into account.

Idiom: all up with someone or something

At an end for them or it.

Beyond all hope for them.

Idiom: and all that

Etcetera.

Idiom: at all

In the least.

In any way.

Idiom: for all that

In spite of it.

Idiom: in all

All together.

Idiom: that's her etc all over

colloq
That's exactly what one would expect from her, etc.

Idiom: when all is said and done

colloq
All things considered; after all.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon eall.

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best
adj

1. Most excellent, suitable or desirable.

Thesaurus: finest, prime, supreme, optimum, paramount, nonpareil, inimitable, peerless, transcendent; Antonym: worst, poorest.
2. Most successful, clever, able or skilled, etc.
3. The greatest or most.

Example: took the best part of an hour

adverb

1. Most successfully or skilfully, etc

Example: Who did best in the test?
2. More than, or better than, all others

Example: I like her best
Example: Which hat looks best?

noun

1. The most excellent or suitable person or thing; the most desirable quality or result, etc.

Example: the best of the bunch
Thesaurus: finest, flower, cream, crème de la crème, elite, top.
Form: the best
2. The greatest effort; one's utmost.

Example: Do your best
3. A person's finest clothes.

Example: Sunday best
4. Victory or success.

Example: get the best of an argument
Form: the best
5. A winning majority from (a given number, etc).

Example: the best of three
Form: the best of something (usually)

verb

bested, besting
1. colloq
To beat or defeat someone.
Thesaurus: defeat, beat, overcome, get the better of, worst, conquer, thrash, trounce, vanquish.

Idiom: all the best!

colloq
Said in parting, closing a telephone conversation, etc: best wishes; good luck; wishing you success, happiness, etc.

Idiom: as best one can

As well as one can.

Idiom: at best

Considered in the most favourable way; in the best of circumstances.

Idiom: at the best of times

Even in the most favourable circumstances.

Idiom: the best bet (your best bet, our etc best bet)

colloq
The (or your, our, etc) most appropriate course of action.

Idiom: best wishes

Often written in greetings cards, etc: wishing you happiness, health, prosperity, success, etc.

Idiom: for the best

Likely or intended to have the best results possible, especially in the long term or over all.

Idiom: had best do something

Would find it wisest to do it.
Example: You had best find out straight away

Idiom: make the best of something

To do, etc as well as possible in unfavourable circumstances.
Example: It isn't what I wanted, but I'll just have to make the best of it

Idiom: put one's best foot forward

To make the best attempt possible.

Idiom: to the best of one's knowledge (to the best of one's belief, to the best of one's ability)

As far as one knows, or believes, or is able.

Idiom: with the best of them

As successfully or as well as anyone.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon betst; 19c as verb