do one's best

present singular third person does one's best · participle present doing one's best · past did one's best · participle past done one's best

1. idiomaticTo do as best one can.

   The engine was a diesel, No. D207, with a crew obviously out to do their best.

   1960 April 28, O. S. Nock, “British Locomotive Practice and Performance”, in Railway Magazine, page 269

   2 more examples

   This is a sad time for all people. We have suffered a loss that cannot be weighed. For me, it is a deep personal tragedy. I know that the world shares the sorrow that Mrs. Kennedy and her family bear. I will do my best. That is all I can do. I ask for your help — and God's.

   1971 [1963 November 22], Lyndon Johnson, “The Beginning”, in The Vantage Point, Holt, Reinhart & Winston, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 17

   Other stops retain no-frills brick-built shelters, although local community rail groups do their best to improve the ambience with planting, posters and artwork.

   2022 November 2, Paul Bigland, “New trains, old trains, and splendid scenery”, in RAIL, number 969, page 58

   Synonyms: try one's best, do one's utmost, give it one's best shot