best shot

USAGE SUMMARY

"best shot" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the effort of trying to achieve something, or the best possible outcome. Example: We'll do our best shot to make this project a success.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Communication

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

'Atonement' is his best shot".

The New Yorker

He shoulda given it his best shot.

Independent

"This," he said, "is our best shot".

The New York Times - Health

"Take your best shot," he told Tyndall.

The New Yorker

We will give it our best shot".

BBC

It is our best shot.

The Guardian

"We're expecting everybody's best shot".

The New York Times - Sports

You took your best shot.

The Guardian - Opinion

And you're getting every team's best shot.

The New York Times

"This is the best shot we've had".

The New York Times

But they're giving both their best shot.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "best shot" with action verbs like "give", "take", "try" to clearly convey the attempt of something.

Common error

While "best shot" is widely acceptable, it might be too informal for certain academic or professional settings. In such cases, consider using more formal alternatives like "utmost effort" or "optimal strategy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "best shot" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It represents the greatest possible attempt or effort someone can make in a given situation. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it is often used with verbs such as "give", "take", or "try", indicating an action related to that effort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sports

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "best shot" is a commonly used expression that signifies the greatest possible effort or strategic move in a particular situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted across various contexts, although it might be perceived as too informal for certain academic or professional environments. When using "best shot", consider the context and choose the most appropriate action verb. You can also explore alternatives like "give it your all" or "do your best" to add nuances to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do your best

A general encouragement to perform well.

try your hardest

Highlights the intensity of the attempt.

give it your all

Focuses on the effort and energy put into something.

seize the opportunity

Focuses on taking advantage of a favorable moment.

make the most of it

Stresses maximizing the benefit from a situation.

make every effort

Emphasizes the exertion of energy to achieve a goal.

put your best foot forward

Focuses on making a good first impression.

capitalize on the moment

Similar to seizing an opportunity, but more strategic.

give it a try

A more casual way of saying to attempt something.

take a crack at it

Informal way of saying to attempt something.

FAQs

How can I use "best shot" in a sentence?

You can use "best shot" in sentences like, "We'll give it our "best shot" to make this project a success" or "Philanthropy is his last "best shot"".

What can I say instead of "best shot"?

You can use alternatives like "give it your all", "do your best", or "make every effort" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "best shot"?

While generally acceptable, "best shot" might be too informal for formal academic or professional settings. Consider using more formal alternatives in those situations.

What's the nuance between "best shot" and "try your hardest"?

"Best shot" often implies using the most effective strategy or resource, while "try your hardest" emphasizes the level of effort exerted, even if the strategy isn't optimal.