the best thing since sliced bread
the best thing since sliced bread :
best bib and tucker
your best clothes – informal
Bib and tucker originally referred to certain items of women's clothing. A bib is a garment worn over the upper front part of the body (e.g. the bib of an apron) and a tucker was a decorative piece of lace formerly worn on a woman's bodice.
the best thing since sliced bread = the greatest thing since sliced bread
a notable new idea, person or thing (used to express real or ironic appreciation) – informal
This phrase alludes to the mid 20th-century advertising promotions for packed, pre-sliced loaves.
put your best foot forward
embark on an undertaking with as much speed, effort and determination as possible
with the best will in the world
however good your intentions (used to imply that success in a particular undertaking, although desired, is unlikely)
the best of both worlds = the best of all possible worlds
the benefits of widely differing situations, enjoyed at the same time
The variant all possible worlds alludes to the catchphrase of the eternally optimistic philosopher Dr Pangloss in Voltaire's Candide (1759) : Dans ce meilleur des mondes possibles... toutestaumieux, usuallyquoted in English as Everything is for the best in the best of all possible worlds.
the best of British
used to wish someone well in an enterprise, especially when you are almost sure it will be unsuccessful – informal
This phrase is an abbreviation of the best of British luck to you.
give someone best = give something best
admit the superiority of
give way to – British
1990 - Birds Magazine - He finally decided to give us best and took himself off.
make the best of it
derive what limited advantage you can from something
unsatisfactory or unwelcome
use resources as well as possible.
The first sense is often found in the form make the best of a bad job, meaning do something as well as you can under difficult circumstances.
your best bet
the most favourable option available in particular circumstances
six of the best
a caning as a punishment, traditionally with six strokes of the cane
Six of the best was formerly a common punishment in boys' schools, but it is now chiefly historical in its literal sense and tends to be used figuratively or humorously.
the best thing since sliced bread :
Idioms Index – Previous Page
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