adj. phr. (colloquial).—The best one can do; the utmost of one’s power.
1877. E. E. HALE, His Level Best [Century]. I said, ‘I ’ll do my LEVEL BEST, Doctor.’
1882. J. D. MCCABE, New York by Sunlight and Gaslight, p. 217. I was listening to the aged cove, and trying to do my LEVEL BEST in replying to him.
1889. Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday, 1 June. When that core of my heart does her LEVEL BEST to send the toe of her satin boot through the ceiling, then I somehow think the word Daisy is misapplied, however well it may look on a playbill.
1890. Sporting Life, 8 Nov. Both tried their LEVEL BEST.
1892. R. L. STEVENSON and L. OSBOURNE, The Wrecker, p. 154. But you’ll do your LEVEL BEST, Loudon; I depend on you for that. You must be all fire and grit and dash from the word ‘go.’
1892. HUME NISBET, The Bushranger’s Sweetheart, p. 106. I have done my LEVEL BEST to cater for them.
