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Take the better part of

🇬🇧 UK //teɪk ðə ˈbɛtə pɑːt ɒv// 🇺🇸 US //teɪk ðə ˈbɛtər pɑrt əv//

Meaning of Take the better part of

To spend a significant or most important part of time on something.

In simple words: Choose the best option or most important part.

Take the better part of in a sentence

• The meeting took the better part of three hours.
• She took the better part of the afternoon to complete her project.
• It will take the better part of a decade to recover from that event.
• During the holidays, he took the better part of a week off work.

How to use Take the better part of

This phrase is often used to indicate that something takes a significant amount of time. It is appropriate in both casual and formal contexts but is more common in spoken English.

Grammar pattern

take + object + the better part of + time

Memory hint

Think of 'taking' something important: the 'better part' signifies quality over quantity.

Related words

Collocations with Take the better part of

• take the better part of an hour
• take the better part of a day
• take the better part of a week
• take the better part of the time
• take the better part of the year

Synonyms for Take the better part of

• spend most of
• use up
• take time
• devote a lot of
• invest time

Common mistakes with Take the better part of

• Misuse as 'take the best part of' which changes the meaning.
• Confusion with 'take most of' which may imply quantity rather than time.
• Using it with non-time related nouns, leading to awkward phrasing.

Frequently asked questions about Take the better part of

What does Take the better part of mean?

Choose the best option or most important part.

What is the definition of Take the better part of?

To spend a significant or most important part of time on something.

How do you use Take the better part of in a sentence?

The meeting took the better part of three hours.

Can you give another example of Take the better part of?

She took the better part of the afternoon to complete her project.

What are synonyms for Take the better part of?

Common alternatives include spend most of, use up, take time, devote a lot of, invest time.

What words go with Take the better part of?

It commonly pairs with take the better part of an hour, take the better part of a day, take the better part of a week, take the better part of the time, take the better part of the year.

What are common mistakes when using Take the better part of?

Misuse as 'take the best part of' which changes the meaning. Confusion with 'take most of' which may imply quantity rather than time. Using it with non-time related nouns, leading to awkward phrasing.

How do you pronounce Take the better part of?

US: //teɪk ðə ˈbɛtər pɑrt əv//, UK: //teɪk ðə ˈbɛtə pɑːt ɒv//. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Take the better part of?

This phrase is often used to indicate that something takes a significant amount of time. It is appropriate in both casual and formal contexts but is more common in spoken English.