Cool MateMore like it vs That's better
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
More like it
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
That's better
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: That's betterMost common: That's better
| More like it | That's better | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //mɔː laɪk ɪt//🇺🇸 //mɔr laɪk ɪt// | 🇬🇧 //ðæts ˈbɛtə//🇺🇸 //ðæts ˈbɛtər// |
| Meaning | That’s better! or I agree! | This is an improvement. |
| Example | After the second performance, she said, 'Now that's more like it!' | After the meeting, I thought, 'That’s better!' |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | more like it!, sounds good, more like it | feel better, get better, look better |
| Antonyms | Not quite right, Missed the mark, Far from it | That's worse, That's worse off, That's worse than before |
| Common mistakes | Using in formal contexts like business meetings., Confusing it with 'more like this' for similar items. | Using in overly formal contexts., Confusing with 'that's the best' which implies the highest quality. |
| Usage notes | Use when you agree with something or want to say a situation is improved. It’s appropriate in casual conversations but might sound too informal in formal settings. | Generally used in conversations to express approval or satisfaction when something is improved. Avoid in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: More like it vs That's better
What's the difference between More like it and That's better?
More like it: That’s better! or I agree! That's better: This is an improvement.
Which is more formal: More like it and That's better?
That's better is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: More like it and That's better?
That's better is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
More like it: After the second performance, she said, 'Now that's more like it!' That's better: After the meeting, I thought, 'That’s better!'
Can I use More like it and That's better interchangeably?
Not always. More like it and That's better are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.