at most

at best & at most

in the most favorable view; in the most positive judgment; as the best one can say. •

At best we found their visit pleasantly short.

•

The dinner was not at all pleasant. At best the food was not burned.

•

At most there were three people in line ahead of me.

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or[at the most] {adv. phr.} By the largest or most generous guess; at the upper limit; by the maximum account; not more than; at best; at worst. * /It was a minor offense at most./ * /He had been gone 15 minutes at the most./ * /Their new house lot is a quarter acre at most./