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worst
at the worst
At or of the worst, least favorable, or least desirable outcome possible. Often indicates a belief or insinuation that such an outcome will not be disastrous or that a more positive outcome is as likely. Our house wasn't too badly damaged from the flood. We'll have to replace the downstairs carpets at the worst. Although I didn't study for the test, I figured I'd get a B at the worst because the teacher takes his questions right from our homework.
at the very worst
At or of the worst, least favorable, or least desirable outcome possible. Often indicates a belief or insinuation that such an outcome will not be disastrous or that a more positive outcome is as likely. You should ask him out on a date. At the very worst, he might say no, which really isn't that big a deal! He thought at the very worst he'd get detention for bringing alcohol to school; he wasn't expecting them to expel him.
Doctors make the worst patients.
It is difficult to give people help or advice on something in which they are professionals, because they often feel as though they already know better than anyone else how to handle the situation or perform a given task. Mary tried to convince her boss at the bank to see a credit advisor about his growing debt, but he kept insisting that he knew how to manage his money. Doctors make the worst patients.
worst comes to worst
The least ideal or preferred outcome happens. Often used with "if," as in "if worst comes to worst." Even if worst comes to worst and it rains on our wedding day, we'll make the best of it. I know you don't want to think about it, but, worst comes to worst—what would you do in a zombie apocalypse?
at worst
1. In the worst possible scenario. In this usage, "the" can be used between "at" and "worst." At the worst, Doug will be an hour late. They're selling some nice stuff at the yard sale, so I think they'll make a few hundred bucks at worst.
2. In one's least positive, effective, or successful state. In this usage, a pronoun is used between "at" and "worst." I'm at my worst when I'm tired. The team is at their worst when they're not working together.
be (one's) own worst enemy
To do things that complicate one's life and/or keep one from success; to be self-destructive or self-sabotaging. Of course Tommy started skipping school again—he's his own worst enemy. She always sabotages a relationship when it's going really well because she's her own worst enemy.
at (the) worst
in the most negative or pessimistic view. At worst, Tom can be seen as greedy. Ann will receive a ticket for careless driving, at the worst.
Hope for the best and prepare for the worst,
and Hope for the best but expect the worst.Prov. You should have a positive attitude, but make sure you are ready for disaster. While my father was in the hospital after his heart attack, we hoped for the best and prepared for the worst. When you study for a major exam, hope for the best but expect the worst. Don't make yourself anxious worrying that it will be too difficult, but review as if you expect the exam to be extremely hard.
I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.
and I wouldn't wish that on a dog.Fig. I would not wish that to happen to even the worst or lowliest person. A skunk sprayed him! I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. What a hideous disease! I wouldn't wish that on a dog.
if (the) worst comes to (the) worst
Prov. in the worst possible circumstances; if the worst possible thing should happen. We should be able to catch the four-thirty train, but if the worst comes to the worst, we could get a taxi and still get into town on time. Of course, I hope that your wife's health recovers, but if worst comes to worst, I want you to know that we'd be happy to have you stay with us.
in the worst way
Fig. very much. I want a new car in the worst way. Bob wants to retire in the worst way.
*one's own worst enemy
Fig. consistently causing oneself to fail; more harmful to oneself than other people are. (*Typically: be ~; become ~.) Ellen: My boss is my enemy. She never says anything good about me. Jane: Ellen, you're your own worst enemy. If you did your job responsibly, your boss would be nicer.
*worst of something
the poorest share of something; the worst part of something. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) I knew I would get the worst of the deal because I was absent when the goods were divided up. I'm sorry that you got the worst of it.
worst-case scenario
Cliché the worse possible future outcome. Now, let's look at the worst-case scenario. In the worst-case scenario, we're all dead.
your own worst enemy
doing things yourself that prevent you from being liked or successful
As a young player, Michael was his own worst enemy, arguing with the coach and other players and generally being unpleasant. Usage notes: sometimes used in the form its own worst enemy, referring to something: The company has made a number of bad decisions that have made it its own worst enemy.
in the worst way
very much After a day in the hot sun, he needed a shower in the worst way.
at worst
also at the worst in the least satisfactory conditions There's no harm in sending them your resume - you might get an interview, and at worst, they'll ignore it.
Opposite of: at bestfear the worst
to feel sure that what was least wanted has happened or will happen When the doctor called, she feared the worst.
if worst comes to worst
if the least wanted situation develops If worst comes to worst, we can ask Dad to send us some more money.
the worst of both worlds
the least satisfactory parts of two different things By making his parents and his teachers angry with him, Jim seemed to have the worst of both worlds.
Opposite of: the best of both worldsbe your own worst enemy
if you are your own worst enemy, you do or believe things that prevent you from becoming successful Unless he learns to be more confident, he'll never get a decent job. He's his own worst enemy.
the nightmare/worst-case scenario
the worst thing that could possibly happen I suppose the worst-case scenario would be if both of us lost our jobs at the same time.
I/You wouldn't wish something on my/your worst enemy.
something that you say in order to emphasize that something is extremely unpleasant The effects of this disease are horrible. You wouldn't wish them on your worst enemy.
if the worst comes to the worst
(British, American & Australian) also if worst comes to worst (American) something that you say in order to tell someone what you will do if a situation becomes very difficult or serious If the worst comes to the worst, we'll have to give them our bed and sleep on the floor. If worst came to worst, could we sell the car to raise some extra cash?
See I wouldn't wish on my worst enemyat worst
Also, at the worst.
1. In the least favorable circumstance; under the most difficult conditions. For example, Convicted of taking a bribe, the official believed that at worst he would be sentenced to a few months in prison . [1500s]
2. In the least favorable view or supposition, as in
No harm done; at the worst I'll copy the tax return again. Chaucer used this sense in
Troilus and Cressida: "For at the worst, it may yet short our way." [Late 1300s] For the antonym, see
at best.
get the worst of it
Also,
have the worst of it. Be defeated, experience a disadvantage, or suffer the most harm. For example,
In any argument Joe usually gets the worst of it, or
If we play the last three games as scheduled, our team is bound to have the worst of it , or
The car got the worst of it, and no one was hurt. These phrases survive many older ones (such as
go to the worst and
come by the worst) in which
worst is used in the sense of "defeat," a usage dating from about 1500. Also see
get the better (best) of.
if worst comes to worst
Also, if worse comes to worst. In the least favorable situation, if the worst possible outcome occurs. For example, If worst comes to worst and the budget is not approved, the government will shut down, or Go ahead and go to school with a cold; if worse comes to worst the teacher will send you home . This expression is nearly always followed by a solution. [Late 1500s]
in the worst way
Desperately, very much, as in He wanted a new trumpet in the worst way. This usage replaced worst kind. [Colloquial; second half of 1800s]
worst-case scenario
n. the worst possible future outcome. Now, let’s look at the worst-case scenario.
at (the) worst
Under the most negative circumstances, estimation, or interpretation: At worst, the storm will make us postpone the trip.
if (the) worst comes to (the) worst
If the very worst thing happens.
in the worst way
Informal Very much; a great deal: wanted to be elected in the worst way.