doing our level best

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doing our level best" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone is making a strong effort or trying their hardest in a particular situation. Example: "Despite the challenges we faced, we are doing our level best to meet the project deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The Winchell murder was an absolute tragedy and we are learning all we can and we are doing our level best to make sure this never happens again".

The New York Times

Far from condoning child molestation, it's about doing our level best to prevent it by acknowledging that pedophilia is not a sickness but an orientation.

The New York Times

Because most of the $50 billion G.M. received was converted to an equity stake held by the Treasury Department, Mr. Akerson said G.M. had "technically" repaid its debt to the government, but he added that executives were "doing our level best" to help taxpayers recoup the remaining amount.

The New York Times

He said: "We are doing our level best to protect this service.

BBC

By doing our level best to be a positive influence and perhaps role model or mentor to others.

Huffington Post

Real evil abounds in our world each day, and most of us are doing our level best to relieve the pain of evil's fallout -- child abuse, homelessness and hunger, poverty and corporate greed, illiteracy and the fear that ignorance nurtures, environmental destruction, senseless violence and war.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

We'll do our level best on the night.

The Guardian

We will do our level best to take the heat out of this".

The Guardian

"We're doing our very best, and we will do our level best," said Mr. Angelides.

The New York Times

Fully acknowledging that to appreciate Rome "a lifetime would not suffice," we will nonetheless do our level best.

Cornell University

"And if somebody committed a crime, we are going to do our level best to make sure that somebody goes to jail," Mr. Mukasey told the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "doing our level best" to convey a sense of earnest commitment, especially when facing challenges or working towards a difficult goal.

Common error

While effective, "doing our level best" can become repetitive. Vary your language by using alternatives like "giving it our all" or "doing our utmost" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing our level best" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating a collective effort to achieve a specific goal or outcome. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase commonly appears when conveying commitment or responsibility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "doing our level best" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, signifying a dedicated and earnest effort towards a specific goal. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples from credible sources. While suitable for various contexts, it is most prevalent in news and formal business settings. To avoid redundancy, consider using alternatives such as "giving it our all" or "doing our utmost". This phrase effectively conveys commitment and responsibility, enhancing communication in both professional and general contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Giving it our all

Focuses on effort and dedication.

Doing our utmost

Emphasizes the maximum effort possible.

Striving to the fullest

Highlights continuous effort and ambition.

Making every effort

Underscores the exertion of energy and resources.

Trying our hardest

Focuses on the intensity of the effort.

Going above and beyond

Suggests exceeding expectations in effort.

Putting our best foot forward

Highlights the intention to make a positive impression through effort.

Pulling out all the stops

Implies using every available resource or method.

Leaving no stone unturned

Suggests a comprehensive and thorough approach to effort.

Bending over backwards

Implies excessive effort and accommodation.

FAQs

How can I use "doing our level best" in a sentence?

You can use "doing our level best" to indicate that you are making a strong effort to achieve something, such as, "We are "doing our level best" to meet the deadline despite the challenges."

What are some alternatives to "doing our level best"?

Some alternatives to "doing our level best" include "giving it our all", "doing our utmost", or "trying our hardest".

Is "doing our level best" formal or informal?

"Doing our level best" is generally considered to be neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "doing our utmost" may be preferred in highly formal situations.

What's the difference between "doing our level best" and "doing our best"?

"Doing our level best" emphasizes a stronger commitment and more intense effort than simply "doing our best". The addition of "level" amplifies the degree of effort being exerted.