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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

do one's best en · VERB

Meanings

  1. (idiomatic) To do as best one can.
    • This is a sad time for all people. We have suffered a loss that cannot be weighed. For me, it is a deep personal tragedy. I know that the world shares the sorrow that Mrs. Kennedy and her family bear. I will do my best. That is all I can do. I ask for your help — and God's. 1971 [1963 November 22], Lyndon Johnson, “The Beginning”, in The Vantage Point, Holt, Reinhart & Winston, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 17:
    • Other stops retain no-frills brick-built shelters, although local community rail groups do their best to improve the ambience with planting, posters and artwork. 2022 November 2, Paul Bigland, “New trains, old trains, and splendid scenery”, in RAIL, number 969, page 58:
    • The engine was a diesel, No. D207, with a crew obviously out to do their best. 1960 April 14, O. S. Nock, “British Locomotive Practice and Performance”, in Railway Magazine, page 269:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
did one's best Tense=Past lexicographic
does one's best Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
doing one's best Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
done one's best Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic

Relateds

do one's worst

Synonyms

try one's best · give it one's best shot · do one's utmost

Translations (6)

pl dawać z siebie wszystko (to attempt as effectively as one is able) · nl men's best doen (to attempt as effectively as one is able) · de sein Bestes geben (to attempt as effectively as one is able) · pl dać z siebie wszystko (to attempt as effectively as one is able) · el βάζω τα δυνατά μου (to attempt as effectively as one is able) · unm wishëksi (to attempt as effectively as one is able)