might as well

alternative minus well

1. idiomaticUsed to express somewhat reluctant assent, saying that if one situation exists (or because it does exist), another event or situation that would otherwise be undesirable, difficult, impossible, etc., becomes more feasible or reasonable, or would not make a difference.

   You arrived too early, but since you're here, you might as well come in.

   3 more examples

   Macarons are very difficult to make, so you might as well make plentiful if you do decide to make any.

   Razors pain you; / Rivers are damp; / Acids stain you; / And drugs cause cramp. / Guns aren’t lawful; / Nooses give; / Gas smells awful; / You might as well live.

   1926, Dorothy Parker, “Résumé,”, in Enough Rope

   Oh, and while you're here would you like me to look at your fanny? And the girl, says, Yeah, sure, might as well, and off they go.

   2004, Melvin Burgess, Doing It

2. idiomaticUsed to liken one situation to another, typically saying that the existence of one situation is equivalent to the existence of another, usually more extreme, situation.

   What a waste of time this has been. We might as well have stayed at home.

   5 more examples

   You're going to tell her what I said about her? You might as well shoot me!

   Mr. A. Wheeler, and Mr. William Tebb, who, though all were examined and cross-examined on the minutest details, might as well never have appeared so far as any notice in the Final Report is concerned.

   1898, Alfred Russel Wallace, Vaccination a Delusion

   "If she makes as much work after she comes as she has before, we might as well give up hope of ever gettin' any rest," sighed Miranda as she hung the dish towels on the barberry bushes at the side door.

   1903, Kate Douglas Wiggin, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm

   We asked Miss Maudie to elucidate: she said Miss Stephanie seemed to know so much about the case she might as well be called on to testify.

   1960 July 11, Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, Philadelphia, Pa.; New York, N.Y.: J[oshua] B[allinger] Lippincott Company, →OCLC

   As far as I'm concerned each day's a rainy day So it might as well rain until September

   1962, Carole King, Gerry Goffin, It Might as Well Rain Until September

3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see might, as well.

   I want to go, and he might as well.

   Synonyms: may as well, as well