make the best of it, to
make the best of it
To deal with and create the best possible outcome of a bad, unfortunate, or unpleasant situation or set of circumstances. I know this data entry job isn't what you wanted for a career, but for the time being try and make the best of it. We weren't expecting to have to share our timeshare with others, but there's nothing we can do about it now, so we'd better make the best of it.
See also: make, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
make the best of it
Also, make the best of a bad bargain. Adapt as well as possible to a bad situation, bad luck, or similar circumstances, as in Jeff ended up in a cabin without his friends, but decided to make the best of it, or She got the worst possible position, but Dad told her to make the best of a bad bargain. The first term dates from the first half of the 1600s. The second appeared in John Ray's proverb collection of 1670 and coexisted for a time with variants such as make the best of a bad game and make the best of a bad market, which have died out.
See also: make, of
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
make the best of it
1 derive what limited advantage you can from something unsatisfactory or unwelcome. 2 use resources as well as possible.The first sense is often found in the form make the best of a bad job , meaning ‘do something as well as you can under difficult circumstances’.
See also: make, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
make the best of it, to
Adapt as well as possible to ill fortune, bad circumstances, or other adversity. This advice was already being given in the sixteenth century.
See also: make, of
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- a sad state (of affairs)
- a sorry state (of affairs)
- come to a bad end
- come to a bad/sticky end
- hit a sour note
- horse and rabbit stew
- get (something) over with
- get it over with
- be a fate worse than death
- go from bad to worse