Meaning & Origin
“Best of both worlds” describes a situation where you can benefit from two separate options at once — combining their strengths with little or no trade‑off. The phrase has been common in English since at least the 19th century in general writing and speech.
Pronunciation Guide
- best — short “e,” like “bet.”
- of — often reduced to “uhv.”
- both — long “o,” as in “bohth.”
- worlds — sounds like “wurldz.”
- Natural rhythm: BEST of BOTH WORLDS.
Usage & Sentence Examples
Use it when two options can be combined to capture their benefits.
- This plan gives us the best of both worlds — speed and reliability.
- With a plug‑in hybrid, you get the best of both worlds: electric commutes and long‑trip range.
- Living near the city but outside downtown is the best of both worlds for our family.
- The course blends self‑paced videos with live Q&A — the best of both worlds for busy learners.
- Remote‑first teams that meet quarterly get the best of both worlds: focus and face‑time.
- Using contractors and a small core team gave us the best of both worlds on cost and agility.
Synonyms
win‑win · have it both ways · the best of both · combine the advantages · a happy medium · two birds with one stone (informal)
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