The best/better part of something Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Time Expressions Often used with time-related words to emphasize a long duration spent. She was waiting for the better part of an hour. Pro Tip 2/3Exaggeration Caution Avoid using it to exaggerate small portions; it suggests a substantial amount. She laughed for the better part of the evening, not just a few minutes. Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Literal Can be figurative, doesn't always mean a precise measure but implies a lot. He's had the better part of the company's success attributed to him.