alla meglio

Italian

Alternative forms

• alla bell'e meglio

Etymology

Literally, “at the best.” Compare French faire au mieux.

Adverb

alla meglio

1. as best as possible given the circumstances, but still mediocre; as best one can
   • 2023 January 9, Davide Turrini, “Si alza e urina addosso alla donna seduta accanto a lui in business class: scoppia il “pee-gate” sul volo da New York a Nuova Delhi [He stands up and urinates on the woman sitting next to him in business class: "pee gate" erupts on the flight from New York to New Delhi]”, in il Fatto Quotidiano‎^[1]:

     Infatti, dopo averla aiutata a detergersi e pulirsi alla meglio non le hanno assegnato un altro posto dove sedere in quanto la business era completa e per trasferirla in prima classe serviva l’ok del capitano che però non sarebbe mai arrivato.

     In fact, after helping to wipe herself down and clean up as best as they could, they did not assign her another place to sit as business class was full and to transfer her in first class would require the captain's OK, which would never come.

Usage notes

• Not to be confused with al meglio, with the more intuitive meaning.