in the best possible light

[keannu]

1.Does "less than" mean "never" here" not "less degree of something"?
2.What does in the best possible light mean? Does it mean "the best opinion of the others, accepted by them"?

3)Some of us are better than others at recovering from a less than favorable start in a conversation or relationship. For many, however, it can be difficult or nearly impossible to reverse a first impression. Getting off on the right foot can make things so much easier and more pleasant from the very start. This means that the first moments in any conversation or relationship are critical...
..Not only do you want to come across in the best possible light - to be seen as professional, courteous, and ready to help - but doing so puts the other person at eas and readies her to participate in a constructive, enjoyable conversation.

 

[JMurray]

not a teacher

1) A lesser degree of something. It was not an entirely favorable start, it was something less than that.

2) come across in the best possible light = to present yourself in a way that clearly shows your best qualities and, if possible, disguises your flaws.

 

[keannu]

Thanks! But some dictionaries define "less than" as "never", so can you quote an example for this different meaning? I can't tell the difference between "lesser degree" and "never".

 

[Raymott]

Thanks! But some dictionaries define "less than" as "never", so can you quote an example for this different meaning? I can't tell the difference between "lesser degree" and "never".

That's a strange definition. It sounds wrong. Which dictionaries are you referring to?

 

[keannu]

I'm sorry this is partly Korean, maybe in this case it can be "never", but I'm not sure.

less than : ??? ????
something[somewhat] less than

[FONT=&#44404]결코 …가 아닌[/FONT] The plan is something less than great.
[FONT=&#44404]그 계획은 결코 훌륭하지 않다.[/FONT]

 

[5jj]

If the Korean means 'never', then it's wrong.

You can always check your Korean dictionary with one of the dozens of reliable dictionaries here: OneLook: General dictionary sites

 

[Raymott]

I'm sorry this is partly Korean, maybe in this case it can be "never", but I'm not sure.

less than : ??? ????
something[somewhat] less than

결코 …가 아닌 The plan is something less than great.
그 계획은 결코 훌륭하지 않다.

"The plan is somewhat less than great" doesn't mean that it was never great; it means that it is not great.
It might be true that the plan was never great, but that's not the meaning.

 

[keannu]

If you can replace "light" here, can it be "prospective" or "point of view"? I have seen such replacement so far many times. I need a synonym to make others easily understand this word.

come across in the best possible light

 

[emsr2d2]

If you can replace "light" here, can it be "prosective"? I need a synonym to make others easily understand this word.

come across in the best possible light

"Prosective" is not an English word.

 

[keannu]

I'm sorry it was a typo. It's "prospective" or "point of view".

 

[emsr2d2]

I'm sorry it was a typo. It's "prospective" or "point of view".

If you are looking for a synonym of "point of view", then you mean "perspective".

 

[keannu]

I was looking for a synonym of "light"