best things last

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "best things last" is not standard in written English. It could be used in contexts discussing the idea of saving the most enjoyable or valuable experiences for the end. An example could be: "Let's save the best things last for our celebration." Alternative expressions include "save the best for last" and "the best is yet to come."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The crowd were probably one of the best things today, my tennis wasn't," he added.

BBC

Though Jacobs deserves her own namesake street, she will be getting the next best thing this weekend when the Municipal Art Society hosts nearly 70 free walking tours conducted by neighborhood residents in all five boroughs.

The New York Times - Arts

Squid bolognese at Koffmann's, London Tom Kitchin, chef-patron, The Kitchin, Edinburgh I don't know if it's a nostalgic thing, because his restaurant is about to close, but the best thing this year was Pierre Koffmann's squid bolognese.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Easily the best thing this year was Tchaikovsky's rarely seen stage epic on the life and death of Joan of Arc, "The Maid of Orleans," scaled down to fit the circumstances of the Theater Royal by a miracle of compression in the production.

The New York Times - Arts

Here's a list of some of the best things from this year, plus a deeper Spotify playlist of 2016 hits, including some soca and afropop.

Vice

Seaside vacations and sunny summer barbeques are some of the best things about summer, but the opportunity for more time spent outside also means a huge increase in prolonged exposure to intense sunlight.

Huffington Post

One of the best things about Christmas is that it revolves around a story.

Independent

One of the best things about summer jobs, of course, is that, unlike real jobs, they end.

The New Yorker

One of the best things about Christmas is the leftovers, and it doesn't get much better than bubble and squeak.

Independent

Some of the best things around this weekend are movies that have limited release on the big screen but are readily available streaming at home or released on DVD.

The New Yorker

In New York, his "Woman on the Beach" and "Woman Is the Future of Man" have been released commercially; "Night and Day" was one of the best things in last year's New York Film Festival.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider rephrasing to "save the best for last" or "the best is yet to come" for clearer communication. These alternatives are well-established and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "best things last" in formal writing. This phrase is uncommon and can sound unnatural. Use established idioms like "save the best for last" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "best things last" functions as a statement, though it's grammatically unconventional. It suggests a prioritization or sequencing of positive elements. While not a standard idiom, its intent is generally understandable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "best things last" is not a conventional English idiom and lacks strong grammatical support. While its meaning can often be inferred, it's advisable to opt for more established phrases like ""save the best for last"" or ""the best is yet to come"" for clarity and correctness. Ludwig's AI analysis indicates no direct examples of the phrase in reliable sources, further suggesting its limited acceptance in formal writing. For enhanced writing quality, using the mentioned alternatives is highly recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

save the best for last

More idiomatic and commonly used to suggest reserving the most enjoyable part of something for the end.

the best is yet to come

Implies that the most positive experiences or opportunities are in the future.

last but not least

Used to indicate that the final item being mentioned is still important, despite its position.

end on a high note

Suggests finishing an event or activity with a particularly positive or memorable moment.

save the sweetest for last

Focuses on saving the most delightful or pleasant part of an experience for the end.

hold the best until the end

Emphasizes a deliberate act of withholding something superior until the final moment.

keep the best in reserve

Implies maintaining a superior option or element as a backup or final strategy.

finish strong

Conveys the idea of concluding an activity with great effort and success.

the grand finale

Refers to the concluding part of a performance or event, often the most elaborate or impressive.

culminate in excellence

Indicates that an activity or process reaches its highest point of quality at the end.

FAQs

What does "best things last" mean?

The phrase "best things last" isn't a standard English idiom. It's likely intended to mean that the most enjoyable or valuable experiences should be saved for the end.

Is it correct to say "best things last"?

While the meaning might be understood, it's not grammatically standard. Consider using the idiom "save the best for last" instead.

What can I say instead of "best things last"?

Alternatives include "save the best for last", "the best is yet to come", or "last but not least", depending on the context.

How can I use "save the best for last" in a sentence?

Example: "We should "save the best for last" and have the cake after we finish our dinner."