at its worst

USAGE SUMMARY

"at its worst" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is the most negative version of itself, or the most severe state. For example, "The storm was at its worst by midnight, with driving rain and strong winds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

At its worst it is a nightmare.

The Economist

At its worst, it deepened those problems".

The New York Times - Books

At its worst, it is trashy.

The New York Times - Books

At its worst it's very debilitating".

BBC

At its worst, it is here.

Vice

At its worst, it's just weird.

Los Angeles Times

What was it like at its worst?

The Guardian

At its worst... it's like... swallowing Drano".

The New York Times

It was Microsoft at its worst.

The Economist

"It was banking at its worst".

The New York Times

It exposes Trumpism at its worst.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at its worst" to provide a balanced view by contrasting it with positive aspects, creating a nuanced perspective. For example: "At its best, the software streamlines workflow; at its worst, it introduces frustrating glitches."

Common error

While versatile, "at its worst" is strongest when applied to situations with measurable, demonstrable negative outcomes. Overusing it in purely subjective opinions weakens its impact. Focus on verifiable detriments rather than vague feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at its worst" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to describe the most negative or undesirable state or condition of something. Ludwig AI's examples confirm this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at its worst" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to describe the most negative or undesirable aspect of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, use "at its worst" to provide a balanced perspective by contrasting it with positive elements. Avoid overuse in subjective contexts to maintain its impact. Alternatives include "in the worst case scenario" and "at rock bottom". Remember, the correct form is "its", not "it's".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the worst-case scenario

Focuses on a hypothetical situation, implying a planning or risk assessment context.

under the worst circumstances

Emphasizes the conditions surrounding a negative situation.

in its most terrible form

Highlights the degree of negativity, adding a sense of horror.

when things are at their bleakest

Suggests a lack of hope or optimism during a difficult period.

at rock bottom

Indicates the lowest possible point in a negative experience.

in the depths of despair

Conveys a profound sense of hopelessness and sadness.

when all hope is lost

Emphasizes the absence of any positive outlook.

in the throes of

Highlights a period of intense struggle or suffering.

in its most degraded state

Focuses on the decline or deterioration of something.

at its absolute nadir

Uses a more formal term to indicate the lowest point.

FAQs

How can I use "at its worst" in a sentence?

You can use "at its worst" to describe the most negative or undesirable state of something. For instance, "The traffic is manageable most days, but at its worst, it can take hours to cross the city."

What are some alternatives to "at its worst"?

Alternatives include "in the worst case scenario", "under the worst circumstances", or "at rock bottom", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "at it's worst"?

No, "at it's worst" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "at its worst", where "its" is a possessive pronoun, not a contraction of "it is".

What's the difference between "at its worst" and "at best"?

"At its worst" describes the most negative outcome or state, while "at best" describes the most positive or ideal outcome. They are often used together to provide a balanced perspective, for example, "At its best, the program is efficient; "at its worst", it crashes unexpectedly".