do one's worst
Try your hardest
To do one's worst is to cause as much harm or difficulty as possible.
The phrase usually appears as a defiant invitation—Do your worst! —challenging an adversary to try their hardest, with the implication that the speaker can withstand it.
The storm could do its worst; they were prepared.
- challengeTest of ability
- dareChallenge to act boldly
- come at meTaunt inviting attack
- bring it onDefiant acceptance of challenge
- throw down the gauntletIssue a bold challenge
defiant · fight me · threaten · no holds barred · provoke · taunt · unleash · havoc · destructive · hell to pay · menacing · confrontation · bravado · intimidate · showdown · retaliate · consequences · spite
do one's worstbeg for mercy
Plead for compassionate treatment
grovel · throw oneself on someone's mercy · implore · beseech · supplicate
do one's worstshow mercy
Treat with leniency
be gentle · hold back · pull one's punches · cut some slack · do one's best
does, done, doer, doers, undone, undoing, ones, oneness, worse