- worst
- {{Roman}}I.{{/Roman}} noun the worstADJECTIVE▪ absolute (esp. AmE)▪
Christmas usually brings out the absolute worst in sentimental platitudes.
VERB + THE WORST▪ believe, think▪She always thinks the worst of people.
▪ anticipate, assume, expect▪It doesn't matter what I say. My mother always expects the worst.
▪ fear, suspect▪ be prepared for, be ready for, prepare for▪Although all the votes have not yet been counted, the party is preparing for the worst.
▪ confirm▪I had not expected to do well in my exams, and the letter confirmed the worst.
▪ avoid, be spared, escape▪Scotland seemed to have escaped the worst of the recession.
▪ do your▪Let them do their worst (= be as difficult as they can)—we'll fight them every inch of the way.
THE WORST + VERB▪ be over▪He was still very ill, but the worst seemed to be over.
PREPOSITION▪ at (sb/sth's) worst▪At worst, the drug can be fatal.
▪At its worst, bullying is a kind of torture.
▪ through the worst▪Her sister helped her through the worst of her illness.
PHRASES▪ bring out the worst in sb▪Pressure can bring out the worst in people.
▪ get the worst of it▪If he got in a fight, he would get the worst of it.
▪ the worst that can happen▪{{Roman}}II.{{/Roman}}Don't worry—the worst that can happen is that you'll get a fine.
adj.
Collocations dictionary. 2013.
