Phrase guide

do one's best

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To do as best one can.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: try one's best, do one's utmost, give it one's best shot

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

perform a task as well as possible

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The cast gives full measure every night

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: go all out, give one's best, give full measure

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: do, perform

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: sein Bestes geben — to attempt as effectively as one is able
  • Greek: βάζω τα δυνατά μου (vázo ta dynatá mou) — to attempt as effectively as one is able
  • Polish: dawać z siebie wszystko — to attempt as effectively as one is able
  • Polish: dać z siebie wszystko — to attempt as effectively as one is able
  • Unami: wishëksi — to attempt as effectively as one is able