Cool MateThat's better vs That's more like it
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
That's better
Top 2,000 (common)
That's more like it
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: That's betterMost common: That's better
| That's better | That's more like it | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ðæts ˈbɛtə//🇺🇸 //ðæts ˈbɛtər// | 🇬🇧 //ðæts mɔː laɪk ɪt//🇺🇸 //ðæts mɔr laɪk ɪt// |
| Meaning | This is an improvement. | It means something is better or more suitable now. |
| Example | After the meeting, I thought, 'That’s better!' | After trying out several designs, this one is finally approved: That's more like it! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| Collocations | feel better, get better, look better | more like it, that's the spirit, finally that's it |
| Antonyms | That's worse, That's worse off, That's worse than before | - |
| Common mistakes | Using in overly formal contexts., Confusing with 'that's the best' which implies the highest quality. | Using it in a formal setting., Confusing it with 'That's just like it' which has a different meaning., Sometimes omitting 'that's' leads to confusion. |
| Usage notes | Generally used in conversations to express approval or satisfaction when something is improved. Avoid in formal writing. | Typically used in casual conversations to express approval when a situation improves. Avoid in formal or business contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: That's better vs That's more like it
What's the difference between That's better and That's more like it?
That's better: This is an improvement. That's more like it: It means something is better or more suitable now.
Which is more formal: That's better and That's more like it?
That's better is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: That's better and That's more like it?
That's better is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
That's better: After the meeting, I thought, 'That’s better!' That's more like it: After trying out several designs, this one is finally approved: That's more like it!
Can I use That's better and That's more like it interchangeably?
Not always. That's better and That's more like it 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.