make the best of something/things/a bad job
make the best of a bad job
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 a bad job. 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 a bad job.
See also: bad, job, make, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
make the best of a bad job
Prov. to try to salvage something from a ruined situation. When the dry cleaners ruined Mrs. Anderson's coat, they made the best of a bad job by offering to buy her another one.
See also: bad, job, make, of
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
make the best of a bad job
BRITISHIf you make the best of a bad job, you accept a bad situation and try to manage as well as you can. It was raining and there was no chance of any gardening. Better to make the best of a bad job and set off early for London. His irritation was obvious, but he was determined to be cheerful and make the best of a bad job.
See also: bad, job, make, of
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
make the best of something/things/a bad job
do as well as you can in a difficult situation: It wasn’t a very large room, but he made the best of it by using space carefully. I know the lighting isn’t perfect but we’ll have to make the best of a bad job and get the best photos we can.See also: bad, job, make, of, something, thing
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- 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