at our best

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   Performing as well as you possibly can; in the best condition or mood for doing something.

   Grammar: The possessive changes with the subject: 'I am at my best', 'you are at your best', 'they are at their best'.

   Patterns

   • be at one's best
   • at one's best when ...
   • not at one's best

   The team is at our best when we work together.

   I'm not at my best in the morning before I've had coffee.

   She was at her best during the final interview.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   In the most favorable or impressive state or form, often used about a performance, a place, or a thing.

   Grammar: This sense is often used with 'at its best' or 'at their best' for things or groups, not just people.

   Patterns

   • something is at its best
   • at their best

   The garden is at its best in early summer.

   The city shows itself at its best during the festival.

   This software is at its best when handling large amounts of data.

Common combinations

at our best

We are at our best when we are relaxed.

at your best

You need to be at your best for the competition.

at their best

The singers were at their best last night.

at its best

The beach is at its best at sunset.

not at one's best

He wasn't at his best after the long flight.

Synonyms and how they differ

in top form

This is more informal and often used about sports or performance; 'at our best' is more general.

at one's peak

This suggests the highest point of a career or ability; 'at our best' can refer to a single occasion.

on form

This is British and often about sports; it means performing well at a particular time.

Opposites

Commonly confused: at our best or at best? at our best or for the best?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “at our best”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words