A2 Collocation Neutro 2 min de leitura

do your best

يبذل قصارى جهده

Literalmente: do (verb) your (possessive) best (superlative adjective)

Use this phrase to encourage effort and reduce pressure in any situation from exams to job interviews.

Em 15 segundos

  • Focuses on the effort you put in, not just the result.
  • Used to encourage others or show personal commitment to a task.
  • Works in both professional offices and casual conversations with friends.

Significado

This phrase means putting in all your effort to achieve something. It is about trying as hard as you can, even if you are not sure you will succeed.

Exemplos-chave

3 de 6
1

Encouraging a friend before a test

Don't worry too much about the grade; just do your best!

Don't worry too much about the grade; just do your best!

🤝
2

Accepting a difficult task at work

This project is a challenge, but I promise to do my best.

This project is a challenge, but I promise to do my best.

💼
3

Texting a sibling before a performance

Good luck tonight! Do your best and have fun!

Good luck tonight! Do your best and have fun!

😊
🌍

Contexto cultural

This phrase is deeply rooted in the 'Protestant work ethic' and the Western ideal of meritocracy. It became a staple of 20th-century parenting and coaching to encourage children without placing too much pressure on winning. In some cultures, results matter more than effort, but in English-speaking countries, 'doing your best' is often considered a moral victory in itself.

💡

The Power of Pronouns

Always match the pronoun to the person! It is `my best`, `your best`, `his best`, or `their best`. If you say 'I will do your best,' people will be very confused!

⚠️

Don't sound like an excuse

If you say `I did my best` after a mistake, make sure you sound sincere. If you say it with a shrug, it can sound like you don't care about the failure.

Em 15 segundos

  • Focuses on the effort you put in, not just the result.
  • Used to encourage others or show personal commitment to a task.
  • Works in both professional offices and casual conversations with friends.

What It Means

Do your best is about effort, not just results. It means using all your energy and skills for a task. You are telling someone that their hard work is what matters most. It is a very positive and supportive thing to say.

How To Use It

You can use it as a command or a promise. If a friend is nervous, say Just do your best! to calm them down. If you are starting a new job, tell your boss I will do my best. It usually follows a subject and the verb do. You can change the pronoun to my, his, her, or their depending on who is working hard.

When To Use It

Use this during exams, sports games, or big presentations. It is perfect for texting a friend before a first date. In a meeting, it shows you are committed to a project. It is great for any situation where someone feels pressure. It reminds them that they can only control their own effort. Even if you fail, doing your best means you have no regrets.

When NOT To Use It

Avoid using it when a specific, perfect result is required. If a pilot is landing a plane, don't say Just do your best! They need to land it perfectly! Also, do not use it if you are being lazy. Saying I did my best when you actually slept all day sounds like a bad excuse. It can sometimes sound a bit childish if used in very high-stakes legal or medical situations.

Cultural Background

Western culture, especially in the US and UK, highly values the 'try-hard' attitude. There is a famous saying: Winning isn't everything. This phrase reflects that idea. It is often taught to children in school sports. It is meant to build self-esteem. It shifts the focus from the scoreboard to the person's character. It is the ultimate 'participation' phrase.

Common Variations

You might hear Give it your best shot for something more casual. Give it your all is much more intense. If you want to sound very determined, say I'll give it 110 percent. (Even though math says that is impossible!) Try your hardest is a very common synonym you will hear in classrooms. Each one carries that same spirit of pure effort.

Notas de uso

This phrase is safe for almost every situation. Just remember to change the possessive adjective (my, your, his, her, our, their) to match who is doing the work.

💡

The Power of Pronouns

Always match the pronoun to the person! It is `my best`, `your best`, `his best`, or `their best`. If you say 'I will do your best,' people will be very confused!

⚠️

Don't sound like an excuse

If you say `I did my best` after a mistake, make sure you sound sincere. If you say it with a shrug, it can sound like you don't care about the failure.

💬

The 'Participation' Culture

In many English-speaking schools, kids get 'Do Your Best' awards. It's a huge part of the culture to reward effort even if the person didn't win first place.

Exemplos

6
#1 Encouraging a friend before a test
🤝

Don't worry too much about the grade; just do your best!

Don't worry too much about the grade; just do your best!

Used here to lower anxiety and provide emotional support.

#2 Accepting a difficult task at work
💼

This project is a challenge, but I promise to do my best.

This project is a challenge, but I promise to do my best.

Shows professional dedication and a positive attitude.

#3 Texting a sibling before a performance
😊

Good luck tonight! Do your best and have fun!

Good luck tonight! Do your best and have fun!

A common way to send quick encouragement via text.

#4 A coach talking to a team
💭

I don't care about the score, as long as you do your best.

I don't care about the score, as long as you do your best.

Classic motivational use in a sports context.

#5 A humorous excuse for a bad meal
😄

I know the cake is burnt, but I did my best!

I know the cake is burnt, but I did my best!

Uses the phrase to lighten the mood after a failure.

#6 A formal commitment in a speech
👔

We will do our best to serve this community with integrity.

We will do our best to serve this community with integrity.

Uses 'our' for a collective group in a formal setting.

Teste-se

Choose the correct pronoun to complete the sentence.

She was nervous about the marathon, but she promised to do ___ best.

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: her

The pronoun must match the subject 'She'.

Select the best response to encourage someone.

Friend: 'I'm so scared for my job interview!' You: '___!'

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: Do your best

'Do your best' is the standard way to offer encouragement for a performance.

🎉 Pontuação: /2

Recursos visuais

Formality of 'Do your best'

Casual

Texting a friend or family member.

Just do your best, dude!

Neutral

Standard everyday use.

I will do my best on the exam.

Formal

Professional or public settings.

The company will do its best to resolve this.

Where to use 'Do your best'

Do your best
🏃

Sports

Running a race

📚

School

Final exams

💼

Work

A big presentation

🎨

Personal

Learning a new hobby

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend without any issues.

No, that is a common mistake. In English, we always use the verb do with best in this context.

They mean the same thing. Try your best is perhaps slightly more common in very casual speech, but they are interchangeable.

Yes! You can say Do your best, everyone! or We must all do our best.

Yes, saying I will do my best, sir/ma'am shows respect and commitment to a task.

Actually, it is the opposite! It means even if you aren't perfect, your effort is what counts.

Yes, you can say I did my best to explain that you tried hard even if the result was bad.

Yes, but give it your best shot is more informal and usually refers to a single attempt at something.

Yes. If someone is doing a very easy task poorly, you might say Wow, really doing your best, huh? to be funny.

You can say Give it your all or Go all out if you want to emphasize extreme effort.

Frases relacionadas

Give it your all

To put every bit of energy you have into something.

Give it your best shot

To try your hardest at a specific attempt or task.

Go the extra mile

To do more than what is expected of you.

Leave it all on the field

A sports metaphor meaning to give 100% effort until you are exhausted.

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