at worst something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at worst something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the least favorable outcome or scenario in a given situation. Example: "At worst, something minor might go wrong, but we should be fine overall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Last week, a bright light was shone on the party itself, and it illuminated, at worst, something rather unsavoury, at best, rank incompetence.

Independent

The other party, the Likud, headed by Yitzhak Shamir, was saying that this was at best a dangerous illusion & at worst something close to treason.

The New Yorker

Now, it has turned into, at best, a specialist interest, and at worst something to move people along rapidly in a public place.

Independent

"China's involvement with troublesome states indicates at best a blindness to consequences, and at worst something more ominous," Mr. Zoellick said at the time.

The New York Times

Many dismiss them as simple narcissism (maybe even a sign of psychopathy) with little use and – at worst – something that causes a disliking for their target group.

The Guardian

What's particularly interesting about most of their suggestions is that they're, at best huge improvements for people of all abilities and, at worst, something most sighted people would find mildly beneficial or perhaps neutral.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

I speak to girls at school who have seen porn on boys' mobile phones and think that sex is something at best aggressive, at worst violent; something that will be done to them when they 'give in'; something that men initiate and perform for their own pleasure while women submit.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Before today, Cover Stories would offer a mix of articles and social updates from your subscriptions and networks, but the selection could come across, at best, as an eclectic gathering of news and, at worst, as something of a chaotic mess.

TechCrunch

But at worst, there's something else going on," says Richard Wiseman, a professional magician turned psychologist and paranormal investigator at the University of Hertfordshire.

The Guardian

Three weeks until – at worst – I say something so insanely actionable about a deep-pocketed venture capitalist that TechCrunch finds itself sued out of existence.

TechCrunch

At worst, it was something to be ashamed of.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at worst something" to clearly and directly communicate the least desirable potential consequence of a decision or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "at worst something" when a more definitive and impactful phrase is needed. "At worst something" suggests a possibility, not a certainty. For higher impact, consider alternatives like "definitely something negative" if the situation warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at worst something" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause by specifying the least favorable outcome or possibility. Ludwig AI indicates its correct usage in providing context to a situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at worst something" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the least favorable outcome or possibility in a given situation. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and frequent presence in contexts like News & Media. When writing, using "at worst something" helps to set expectations and acknowledge potential negative outcomes, serving as an adverbial phrase modifying a clause. Alternatives like "in the worst-case scenario" or "if the worst happens" can be used depending on the desired emphasis. However, avoid confusing it with phrases that imply certainty rather than possibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the very worst

Adds emphasis to the negativity of the outcome.

in the worst-case scenario

Focuses on the scenario itself being the worst, rather than a specific outcome.

as a worst-case scenario

Functions as an appositive, clarifying a previous statement.

if the worst happens

Emphasizes the hypothetical nature of the negative situation.

in the least favorable outcome

More formal and emphasizes the lack of favorability.

if all goes wrong

A more general way to introduce a negative possibility.

should the worst come to pass

A more formal and dramatic way of expressing a negative outcome.

in the worst possible light

Focuses on the perception of a situation rather than the outcome itself.

at rock bottom

Implies reaching the lowest possible point in a situation.

on the downside

A less severe way to introduce a negative aspect.

FAQs

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

You can use "at worst something" to introduce the least desirable outcome of a situation. For example, "If we miss the deadline, "at worst something" minor might be delayed."

What phrases are similar to "at worst something"?

Similar phrases include "in the worst-case scenario", "if the worst happens", or "at the very worst".

Is "at worst something" formal or informal?

"At worst something" is suitable for neutral to slightly informal contexts. For very formal situations, consider using "in the least favorable outcome" instead.

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

"At worst something" introduces the least desirable possibility, while "at best something" introduces the most desirable one. They are often used together to provide a range of potential outcomes.