make the best of something/things/a bad job

make the best of a bad job

To deal with and create the best possible outcome of a bad, unfortunate, or unpleasant situation or set of circumstances. I know this data entry job isn't what you wanted for a career, but for the time being try and make the best of a bad job. We weren't expecting to have to share our timeshare with others, but there's nothing we can do about it now, so we'd better make the best of a bad job.

See also: bad, best, job, make, of

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

make the best of a bad job

Prov. to try to salvage something from a ruined situation. When the dry cleaners ruined Mrs. Anderson's coat, they made the best of a bad job by offering to buy her another one.

See also: bad, best, job, make, of

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

make the best of a bad job

BRITISH

If you make the best of a bad job, you accept a bad situation and try to manage as well as you can. It was raining and there was no chance of any gardening. Better to make the best of a bad job and set off early for London. His irritation was obvious, but he was determined to be cheerful and make the best of a bad job.

See also: bad, best, job, make, of

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

make the best of something/things/a bad job

do as well as you can in a difficult situation: It wasn’t a very large room, but he made the best of it by using space carefully. ♢ I know the lighting isn’t perfect but we’ll have to make the best of a bad job and get the best photos we can.

See also: bad, best, job, make, of, something, thing

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017