level best
Definition
- Noun:
- The greatest possible degree of effort or achievement: "level best" refers to the maximum effort someone can make or the highest standard they can possibly achieve in a given situation. It implies trying as hard as one possibly can.
Usage
- The phrase "level best" is almost exclusively used in the fixed expression "to try one's level best" or "to do one's level best". It functions as a noun phrase acting as the direct object of the verbs "try" or "do".
- It is used to emphasize that someone is putting forth their maximum possible effort or attempting to achieve the highest possible standard.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- While "level best" is standard in the phrases "try/do one's level best", it can occasionally be used with other verbs like "give" or "perform", though this is less common.
- He gave his level best in the final exam.
- The phrase can sometimes be used without a possessive pronoun in more general statements, though this is rare.
- They expect level best from all employees.
Variants and Related Words
- Utmost (noun): The greatest possible degree, extent, or amount. Often used in the phrase "to do/try one's utmost".
- He did his utmost to convince them.
- Best (noun): The utmost effort or the most excellent condition or quality.
- She brought out the best in her students.
Synonyms
- Utmost: The greatest possible degree or effort.
- Maximum effort: The greatest amount of work or exertion possible.
- All one can do: Everything that is within one's power.
Related Phrases
- To try one's hardest: To make the greatest possible effort.
- He tried his hardest to win the race.
- To give it one's all: To expend all of one's energy and effort.
- The athletes gave it their all in the competition.
Idioms
- To pull out all the stops: To do everything possible to achieve a result.
- They pulled out all the stops for the wedding.
- To go all out: To put forth maximum effort.
- We need to go all out if we want to succeed.
Noun
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the greatest possible degree
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he tried his utmost
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