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as best one can

as best one can

4.1
To do something as well as you can given the situation
  • idiom
translation icon : lo mejor que se puede
  • And to continue to strip, as best one could, the influence and power of the aristocracy, which was mainly to be felt in the countryside.

And again, it's about balancing that as best one can.

Examples

  • She prepared for the exam as best one can, studying every night and practicing sample questions.

  • He tried to finish the project on time, as best one can, despite the numerous obstacles he faced.

  • During the presentation, she spoke clearly and confidently, as best one can, to engage her audience.

Synonyms

as much as possible
vsas best one can
82 1.4

As far as you can

emphasizes doing things to the limit of one's skill and ability
to the limit
vsas best one can
24 3.9

Do something as fully as possible

is about doing things as well as one is able not only intensity
to the max
vsas best one can
  • Informal
13 7.7

As much as possible

focuses on personal skill limits rather than absolute maximums
maximally
vsas best one can
3 6.2

As much as possible

relates specifically to doing as well as one's own ability allows
superlatively
vsas best one can
1 7.0

To a very high degree, showing excellent quality

means doing as well as one can not necessarily perfection or superiority
all one's might
vsas best one can
3.9

Using all your strength and effort

centers on skill and ability rather than physical force

Antonyms

283 1.4

In a bad or unsuccessful way

How Well

perfectly
657 1.0
as best one can
4.1
adequately
83 3.0

Surface Forms

as best one can positive

Morphology

as + best + one + can

The meaning 'to the utmost extent of one's ability' is directly and compositionally derivable from the parts: 'as' (comparative), 'best' (maximum degree), 'one' (a generic person) and 'can' (ability), so a learner who knows these words can infer the phrase. This is a common comparative/degree pattern in English (and has clear parallels in many languages), making it immediately comprehensible to a B1 learner without prior exposure.

Etymology

As best one can creates a simple image: imagine someone trying to fix a broken bike with only a few tools, working hard and using everything they have. That's why it means 'to do something as well as you can'.