make the most of

adjective, superl. of much or many with more as compar.

1. in the greatest quantity, amount, measure, degree, or number: to win the most votes.
2. in the majority of instances: Most operations are successful.
3. greatest, as in size or extent: the most talent.

noun

4. the greatest quantity, amount, or degree; the utmost: The most I can hope for is a passing grade.
5. the greatest number or the majority of a class specified: Most of his writing is rubbish.
6. the greatest number: The most this room will seat is 150.
7. the majority of persons: to be more sensitive than most.
8. the most, Slang. the ultimate in something: He’s the most. That movie was the most.

adverb, superl. of much with more as compar.

9. in or to the greatest extent or degree (in this sense often used before adjectives and adverbs, and regularly before those of more than two syllables, to form superlative phrases having the same force and effect as the superlative degree formed by the termination -est): most rapid; most wisely.
10. very: a most puzzling case.
11. Informal. almost or nearly.

Idioms

12. at the most, at the maximum.Also at most.
13. for the most part. part(def 34).
14. make the most of, to use to greatest advantage; utilize fully: to make the most of an opportunity.

determiner

1. 1. a great majority of; nearly allmost people like eggs
   2. (as pronoun; functioning as sing or plural)most of them don’t know; most of it is finished
2. the most
   1. the superlative of many, much you have the most money; the most apples
   2. (as pronoun)the most he can afford is two pounds
3. at most or at the most at the maximumthat girl is four at the most
4. for the most part generally
5. make the most of to use to the best advantageshe makes the most of her accent
6. than most than most othersthe leaves are greener than most
7. the most slang, mainly US wonderfulthat chick’s the most

adverb

8. the most used to form the superlative of some adjectives and adverbsthe most beautiful daughter of all
9. the superlative of much people welcome a drink most after work
10. (intensifier)a most absurd story
11. US and Canadian informal, or dialect almostmost every town in this state; John is the more intelligent of the two; he is the most intelligent of the students

adj.Old English mast “greatest number, amount, extent,” earlier mæst, from Proto-Germanic *maistaz (cf. Old Saxon mest, Old Frisian mast, Old Norse mestr, Dutch meest, German meist, Gothic maists “most”), superlative form of Proto-Germanic *maiz, root of Old English ma, mara (see more). Used in Old English as superlative of micel “great, large” (see mickle). Vowel influenced by more. Original sense of “greatest” survives in phrase for the most part (c.1400). Slang meaning “the best, extremely good” is attested from 1953. Also used as an adverb in Old English. Phrase make the most of (something) is by 1520s. Related: Mostly. Double superlative mostest is 1885, from U.S. Southern and Black English. Use to the greatest advantage, as in She planned to make the most of her trip to Europe, or The class quickly made the most of the teacher’s absence. This expression was first recorded in 1526. see at most; for the most part; make the most of.