Make the best of

Meaning

"Make the best of" is an idiom that means to make the most out of a difficult or unpleasant situation. It suggests finding ways to turn negative circumstances into positive outcomes, by being resourceful and creative. The phrase can also imply taking advantage of opportunities and seizing the moment.

Usage

• "Despite the rainy weather, we decided to make the best of it and go for a picnic in the park."
• "After losing his job, John had to make the best of it by finding new ways to earn income."
• "We couldn't go on vacation, but we made the best of it by exploring our city instead."
• "When the concert was canceled unexpectedly, the band decided to make the best of it and perform a free impromptu show in the park."
• "During the pandemic, many people had to make the best of it by working from home and spending more time with their families."

Roots and History

The idiom "make the best of" dates back to at least the 16th century. The earliest known use was recorded in the works of William Shakespeare in his play "Henry V," where he wrote, "I will not fail ye, I will make the best of it." Over time, the phrase has evolved to take on a more general meaning and usage.

Synonyms in English

• Make the most of it
• Turn a lemon into lemonade
• Seize the day
• Capitalize on opportunities
• Leverage the situation

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish - "hacer el mejor uso posible"
• French - "faire le meilleur des circonstances"
• German - "den besten aus machen"
• Italian - "fare il meglio dei possibili"
• Russian - "получить из всего этого все можно"

Similar Idioms

• money doesn’t grow on trees

• mad at

• mum’s the word