as good as it gets

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as good as it gets" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that a situation is the best it can be, often implying that there is no possibility for improvement. Example: "After years of hard work, this promotion is as good as it gets for me in this company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This is as good as it gets".

The New York Times

"As good as it gets," Hamilton said.

The New York Times

"He's as good as it gets".

The New York Times - Sports

That's, like, as good as it gets.

The New York Times - Arts

HF As good as it gets.

The Guardian - Sport

But that's as good as it gets.

The Guardian - Music

Is this as good as it gets?

The New York Times

Risotto was as good as it gets.

The New York Times

"It's about as good as it gets".

The New York Times - Arts

In his world, that's as good as it gets.

The New Yorker

"That was as good as it gets," Girardi said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ this phrase to set realistic expectations, especially when managing resources or facing limitations. This helps to manage expectations by clearly stating that the current outcome represents the best achievable result.

Common error

Avoid using "as good as it gets" prematurely. Ensure you've exhausted all viable options for improvement before implying that the current state is the best possible outcome. Overusing it may lead to complacency or missed opportunities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as good as it gets" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically used as a subject complement or adverbial phrase to express that a situation, object, or achievement is at its peak, leaving little room for further improvement. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is widely recognized and understood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

15%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

7%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as good as it gets" is a common and correct idiomatic expression used to indicate that a situation or achievement has reached its peak. Ludwig AI analysis of numerous real-world examples shows its versatile use across news, sports, and arts contexts. While it's useful for managing expectations and acknowledging success, avoid premature use before exploring all possible improvements. Remember that while the phrase is widely acceptable as per Ludwig, context matters: use it to set expectations and manage perceptions about finality or quality. The phrase can be employed as a subject complement or as an adverbial phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can't get any better than this

Expresses impossibility of improvement in a more conversational tone.

this is the best there is

States that the current situation or object represents the highest standard.

the best possible outcome

Focuses on the result or achievement rather than the current state.

the pinnacle of achievement

Emphasizes the high level of success or accomplishment.

the ultimate

A shorter, more emphatic way of saying something is the best.

the cream of the crop

Highlights the superior quality compared to others.

unbeatable

Stresses the impossibility of surpassing the current level.

top-tier

Indicates belonging to the highest rank or category.

state of the art

Focuses on the cutting-edge or most advanced nature.

peak performance

Highlights the highest level of functioning or execution.

FAQs

How can I use "as good as it gets" in a sentence?

You can use "as good as it gets" to describe a situation or achievement that is the best it can possibly be. For example, "This promotion is "as good as it gets" for me at this company".

What does "as good as it gets" imply?

The phrase "as good as it gets" implies that the current situation is the best possible and that there is likely no room for improvement. It suggests a peak or limit has been reached.

Which is correct, "as good as it gets" or "as good as it got"?

"As good as it gets" is the correct idiomatic expression. "As good as it got" might be grammatically correct in some contexts but does not carry the same idiomatic meaning of reaching a peak.

What are some alternatives to "as good as it gets"?

Some alternatives to "as good as it gets" include "the best possible outcome", "the pinnacle of achievement", or "this is the best there is", depending on the context.