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Glite Dictionary
to do one's best

to do one's best

1 2.5
To try as hard as you can to do something well
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : dar lo mejor de uno mismo
  • I will do my best to finish the project on time.

Examples

Synonyms

to strive
vsto do one's best
156 3.7

To work very hard to reach a goal

is often immediate attempt focused on a single performance rather than long effort
to go all out
vsto do one's best
39 4.1

To try as hard as you can with a lot of energy

emphasizes trying hard but not necessarily energetic show or enthusiasm
to do one's utmost
vsto do one's best
5 3.2

To try as hard as possible

is similar but more neutral and commonly used in everyday speech
to give it one's all
vsto do one's best
4 4.9

To try as hard as possible using all your energy

expresses trying hard but can be less about wholehearted energy
to spare no effort
vsto do one's best
2 3.9

Do everything possible to achieve something

speaks of trying hard generally, not insisting on exhausting all means
to do one's damnedest
vsto do one's best
  • NSFW
1 8.6

To try very hard to do something

is the neutral expression of strong effort without slangy force
to give one's all
vsto do one's best
  • Informal
3.8

Put in as much effort and energy as possible

focuses on trying hard but without stressing full energy or commitment
to give one's best
vsto do one's best
  • Informal
2.8

To try as hard as you can when doing something

adds that effort is made despite uncertain outcome rather than performance alone
to give full measure
vsto do one's best
5.4

Try as hard as possible to do something well

focuses on trying hard but less on thoroughness or formal dedication
to put one's darnedest
vsto do one's best
  • Informal
7.8

To try as hard as possible to do something

is the neutral way to express the same strong attempt

Antonyms

to give up
∞ 1.2

To stop trying to do something or accept defeat

How Hard

to do one's best
1 2.5
to try
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

do one's best infinitive
did one's best past
done one's best past participle
doing one's best present participle
does one's best third person singular

Morphology

do + one + best

The meaning 'to try as hard as possible' is directly derivable from combining 'do' (perform), 'one's' (the person’s), and 'best' (the greatest effort), yielding 'perform one’s greatest effort.' This is a common, compositional construction across languages (e.g., Spanish 'hacer lo mejor', French 'faire de son mieux') and follows standard English patterns, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will understand it.

Etymology

Do one's best asks you to imagine someone trying hard and giving their best, the finest thing they can do. That's why it means 'to try as hard as possible'.