Make the Best of – Meaning and Examples

Have you ever been stuck in a long flight delay, dealt with a rainy wedding day, or started a new job during a chaotic time—and still tried to stay positive? In English, we say you’re making the best of it! This encouraging idiom means to handle a difficult or imperfect situation as positively and effectively as you can.

What Does “Make the Best of” Mean?

“Make the best of” means to respond to a bad or challenging situation in the most positive, resourceful, or constructive way possible. Think of it like turning lemons into lemonade—you can’t change the situation, but you can choose how you react to it. The phrase isn’t about denial; it’s about resilience and optimism in the face of what you can’t control.

When to Use It

Use this phrase in casual or empathetic conversations with friends, family, or coworkers when describing how someone is handling hardship, disappointment, or unplanned changes. It’s common when talking about travel delays, budget cuts, illness, or life transitions. This idiom is informal but widely understood—great for everyday English, not formal writing.

Example Sentences

  • The power went out, but we made the best of it with candles and board games.
  • She lost her job, but she’s making the best of the situation by taking online courses.
  • We didn’t get the beach house, but we’ll make the best of our stay in the city.
  • He’s stuck in the hospital, but he’s making the best of it by reading and calling friends.

Mini Dialogue

Alex: “Your flight got canceled again?”

Jamie: “Yeah, but I’m making the best of it—found a great coffee shop and caught up on emails.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t use “make the best of” for situations that are actually great or ideal. It only applies when there’s a real problem or limitation you’re working around—not when everything is going smoothly.

❌ Don’t say: “We got first-class tickets—we’re making the best of it!” (No problem to overcome!)
✅ Do say: “Our rental car broke down, but we made the best of it by walking and seeing more of the town.”

Practice Tip

Next time something doesn’t go as planned—like a canceled plan or a last-minute change—say: “I’ll just make the best of it.” It’s a natural, uplifting way to show resilience in English.

Final Note

Now you can use “make the best of” to respond to life’s bumps with grace and positivity! It’s a hopeful phrase that celebrates adaptability and spirit. Keep using it—and remember, even when things go wrong, you always have the power to make the best of it.

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