ENGLISH
REFERENCE

worst of both worlds

idiom
Meaning

A solution or scenario which combines the disadvantages of two opposed prior solutions, often having been intended to combine their benefits instead.


Origin

disputed origin

Antonym of best of both worlds.

Examples
SIMPLE

Working from home and the office is the worst of both worlds.

CONTEXTUAL

She chose a hybrid car that is too heavy to be fast and too small to be comfortable, giving her the worst of both worlds.

COMPLEX

By attempting to satisfy both the traditionalists and the modernists, the committee created a policy that offered the worst of both worlds, pleasing nobody.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all over the world

    throughout the world, everywhere, worldwide, globally.

  2. 02

    be one's own worst enemy

    To act contrary to one's own interests; to cause problems for oneself; to self-sabotage.

  3. 03

    best of both worlds

    A combination of two seemingly contradictory benefits.

  4. 04

    come into the world

    To be born.

  5. 05

    coming into the world

    The act of being born; a birth.

  6. 06

    dead to the world

    Sound asleep.

  7. 07

    doctors make the worst patients

    It is difficult to advise people on subjects that they are experts on.

  8. 08

    edge of the world

    A very remote place.

Last updated April 17, 2026