murky at best

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "murky at best" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or information that is unclear or ambiguous, suggesting that the clarity is minimal. Example: "The details of the agreement were murky at best, leaving many questions unanswered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The economic outlook remains murky at best.

The New York Times

Mr. Orszag's actual duties are murky at best.

The New York Times

But the diner's future is murky at best.

The Washington Post

The motive behind the Orlando shooting remains murky, at best.

The New Yorker

Disclosure of derivatives positions is murky at best; and arguments persist about their correct accounting treatment.

The Economist

It's early in the year, of course, but prospects for 2013 are murky at best.

The New York Times

Indeed, many on Wall Street say they believe the economic outlook remains murky at best.

The New York Times

Trying to place a value on a domain name seemed murky at best.

The New York Times

The prospect of passage for either bill is murky at best.

The Washington Post

Her legal status is murky at best, because she has no papers.

The New York Times

But the money is not in the House version, leaving its fate murky, at best.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity when using the phrase "murky at best", consider providing a brief explanation of why the situation is unclear. This adds depth and context to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "murky at best" when you intend to convey complete certainty or clarity. The phrase inherently implies some level of ambiguity or doubt. If there's no uncertainty, a more direct statement is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

"Murky at best" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. It describes the quality of something as being unclear, uncertain, or ill-defined. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "murky at best" is a commonly used adjectival phrase to describe something that is unclear, uncertain, or ambiguous. Ludwig confirms its correctness and wide applicability in various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business settings, its neutral register makes it a versatile choice for expressing measured doubt. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, it's essential to ensure the context reflects the intended ambiguity. For those seeking alternative expressions, phrases like "unclear at best" or "vague at best" offer similar shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unclear at best

Replaces "murky" with "unclear", keeping the same structure and meaning, but with a slightly more direct tone.

hazy at best

Similar to "murky", but perhaps implies a lighter degree of obscurity or confusion.

vague at best

Substitutes "murky" with "vague", suggesting a lack of specific detail rather than a lack of clarity.

cloudy at best

Another synonym for "murky", evoking a sense of obscured vision or understanding.

uncertain at best

Replaces "murky" with "uncertain", focusing on the lack of sureness or predictability.

ambiguous at best

Highlights the potential for multiple interpretations, rather than a simple lack of clarity.

dubious at best

Shifts the emphasis to doubtfulness or questionability, rather than just a lack of clarity.

indistinct at best

Emphasizes a lack of clear definition or outline.

questionable at best

Focuses on the trustworthiness or validity of something, rather than its clarity.

tenuous at best

Suggests that something is weak or flimsy, rather than simply unclear.

FAQs

How can I use "murky at best" in a sentence?

You can use "murky at best" to describe situations where clarity is lacking. For example, "The company's sales plan seems "murky at best" for the moment".

What can I say instead of "murky at best"?

You can use alternatives like "unclear at best", "vague at best", or "uncertain at best" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "murky at best" or "murky at worst"?

"Murky at best" is the standard and correct idiom. "Murky at worst" isn't a common phrase and doesn't convey a widely understood meaning. If you're looking for an alternative, "questionable at best" could be considered depending on the context.

What does "murky at best" imply about the subject?

The phrase "murky at best" implies that the subject lacks clarity, is ambiguous, or its future is uncertain. It suggests that even under the most optimistic interpretation, the situation is still unclear or doubtful.