“Adjective + at best” is a grammar structure used to express a negative assessment of something, indicating that the quality or the outcome of that thing is the best that can be expected, but still falls short of being satisfactory. It’s often used to indicate that something is inadequate, imperfect, or unsatisfactory. （“at best”常用于表示结果仍然不尽如人意，可翻译为：充其量、顶多只能算。）
中文释义：“形容词+at best”是一种语法结构，用于表达对某事的负面评价，表示该事物的质量或结果最好只能达到这个程度，仍然不令人满意。它常用于表明某事物不够完美、不充分或不令人满意。
E.G.1：The evidence we have is minimal at best. Mrs. Van de kamp was gracious enough to come down here and take that lie detector test. （DH S02E05 09:06）
参考翻译：我们手头的证据充其量只能说是微不足道的。范德坎夫人足够友好地过来接受了测谎测试。
E.G.2：Come on. Talk to us. How’s your marriage? — Shaky at best. （DH S02E05 15:34）
来吧。跟我们说说。你们的婚姻怎么样？–顶多只能说是不稳定的。
中文释义：“noun + at best” is a grammar structure used to express the highest possible level of something, but with the understanding that it is still limited or not ideal. It implies that the thing being described is not very good, and that even at its best, it is still not great. （充其量是/充其量只能算）
“名词加上at best”则用于表达某事物的最高水平，但理解为仍有限或不理想。它意味着所描述的事物不是很好，即使在它的最佳状态下，它仍然不是很好。
E.G.3：So it was a pyrrhic [‘pɪrɪk(付出极大代价而获得的)] victory at best. Well, look, I’m just bringing this up because I don’t want people on this street thinking that they’re safe when they’re not. （DH S06E03 10:20）
参考释义：所以充其量说这是一个无意义的胜利。嗯，看，我之所以提出这个问题，是因为我不想让这条街上的人觉得他们很安全，而实际上并不是这样。
E.G.4：You are a guest in her house, and a temporary one at best. （DH S03E09 25:42）
参考释义：你只是她家里的一个客人，而且充其量说也只是个临时的。
以下是更多形容词+“at best”的相关例句：
- The food at the restaurant was mediocre at best. 这家餐厅的食物最多只能算中等。
- His chances of passing the test are slim at best. 他通过考试的机会充其量只有一线之希望。
- The repair job on my car was haphazard at best. 修理我的汽车工作质量充其量只能算马虎。
- The new policy is confusing at best and downright contradictory at worst. 新政策最好只能说令人困惑，最坏的情况是完全矛盾。
以下是更多名词+“at best”的相关例句：
- His singing ability is mediocre at best. 他的唱歌能力充其量只能算是平庸的。
- The restaurant’s service is slow at best. 这家餐厅的服务充其量只能算是慢的。
- Her chances of winning the race are slim at best. 她赢得比赛的机会充其量只能算是微乎其微的。
- The team’s chances of making it to the playoffs are uncertain at best. 这支球队进入季后赛的机会充其量只能算是不确定的。
