at the most

Thân thiện

You should spend at the most twenty dollars on lunch.

Definition

1. Adverb phrase: Used to state the highest possible amount, number, or degree; the maximum limit. It indicates that the actual figure is not higher than the one given.

Usage

This phrase is used to set an upper limit or a maximum estimate. It is often placed after the verb or quantity it modifies. * It is commonly used with quantities of money, time, or countable items. * It can be used to give a conservative or cautious estimate.

Examples

• With money:
• With time:
• With countable items:
• With estimates:

Advanced Usage

• "At the very most": This is a more emphatic form, stressing that the stated limit is an absolute maximum and is unlikely to be exceeded.
  • The project will take two weeks, at the very most.

Variants and Related Words

• At most: A slightly more concise form with identical meaning and usage.
  • The drive takes an hour at most.

Synonyms

• At the maximum: A more formal synonym.
• No more than: A common alternative phrasing.
• At the outside: An informal idiom meaning the same.

Antonyms

• At the least: Used to state the lowest possible amount or minimum.
• At a minimum: A more formal antonym.

Học thuật

Adverb

1. not more than
   • spend at most $20 on the lunch

Từ đồng nghĩa

• at most