had best do something Definition

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