best part of

the best part of (something)

1. The majority of something. I'm sorry I'm late—my doctor's appointment took the best part of an hour.
2. The most enjoyable or exemplary aspect of something. No, the cream filling is definitely the best part of this dessert! The introduction was the best part of your term paper. After that, it meandered for a while.
See also: of, part
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

best part of something

almost all of something; a large part of something; the major part of something. The discussion took the best part of an hour. The best part of the meeting was taken up by budgetary matters.
See also: of, part
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

the better/best part of something

most of something: I worked at the camp for the better part of the summer. He had lived there for the best part of fifty years.
See also: better, of, part, something
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • be in it for
  • a run on (something)
  • a rush on (something)
  • address (one's) comments to (someone or something)
  • address comments or remarks to
  • address (one's) remarks to (someone or something)
  • be pressed for time
  • be pushed for time
  • be at a disadvantage
  • at a disadvantage
References in classic literature
That is the best part of beauty, which a picture cannot express; no, nor the first sight of the life.
The Essays
I call that the first which every one would place so, was he to divide the people; for the best part of these are the husbandmen.
A Treatise on Government
"David," said he -- "for I cannae bring to mind the name of your landed estate, and so will make so bold as to call you David -- that door, being open, is the best part of my defences."
Kidnapped
The hot water from the Martian's overthrow drifted down- stream with me, so that for the best part of a mile I could see little of either bank.
War Of The Worlds
His appearance was greatly in his favour; he had all the best part of beauty, a fine countenance, a good figure, and very pleasing address.
Pride and Prejudice
In this particular instance the mean interloper held the road for some six weeks on end, establishing his particular administrative methods over the best part of the North Atlantic.
Mirror of the Sea
The tradition was broken, the Brownon estates passed into alien hands and the only Brownons remaining in that place were underground in Oak Hill Cemetery, where, indeed, was a colony of them powerful enough to resist the encroachment of surrounding tribes and hold the best part of the grounds.
Can Such Things Be
IN LINCOLN THE BEST part of the theatrical season came late, when the good companies stopped off there for one-night stands, after their long runs in New York and Chicago.
My Antonia
I am sure that the best part of it might still be; I am sure that you might be much, much worthier of yourself."
Tale Of Two Cities
Though I had said good-bye to the inn, the stream and I did not part company at the inn-door, but continued for the best part of a morning to be fellow-travellers.
Quest of the Golden Girl
"As it is, you have wasted the best part of my day with your confounded imagination." And with a touch of contempt which humiliated me, he and Montgomery turned and went on in silence before me.
Island of Doctor Moreau
It hurt her to stir up these feelings, but yet she knew that that was the best part of her soul, and that that part of her soul would quickly be smothered in the life she was leading.
Anna Karenina
He thought of the waste of the best part of his life, of the change it made in his character for the worse every day, of the dreadful nature of his existence, bound hand and foot, to a dead woman, and tormented by a demon in her shape.
Hard Times
How can a person who is constantly losing a year of the best part of her life compete with a young man who never loses any time at all?
Elizabeth and her German Garden
But the place I mean is next to the river, where one of the ridges juts out a little from the rest, and where the rocks fall, for the best part of a thousand feet, so much up and down, that a man standing on their edges is fool enough to think he can jump from top to bottom.”
Pioneers