at worst
If things fail
At worst introduces the most unfavorable outcome in a range of possibilities: At worst, we lose a few thousand dollars; at best, we double our investment.
It sets a floor on how bad things might get, often to reassure: The surgery is routine—at worst you'll need a few days to recover.
- silver liningConsolation within misfortune
- in any caseDespite other factors
- all things consideredOn balance, finally
- no matter whatIn every possible case
- contingencyUncertain possible event
on the bright side · likelihood · grimly · grim reality · brace yourself · risk assessment · pessimism · mitigation · damage control · possibility · lower bound · rock bottom · trade-off · risk · downside · direst · unfortunately · resignation