To everybody's surprise , the captain , looking at his best , was there ahead of all the rest . vs To everybody's surprise , the captain , looking in his best , was there ahead of all the rest .

The correct phrase is 'to everybody's surprise, the captain, looking at his best, was there ahead of all the rest.' The incorrect phrase 'to everybody's surprise, the captain, looking in his best, was there ahead of all the rest.' uses 'in his best' incorrectly. 'Looking at his best' is the correct expression to indicate that the captain appeared at his best.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 613 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"To everybody's surprise , the captain , looking at his best , was there ahead of all the rest . "

This phrase is used to describe someone appearing at their best or in their best condition.

Show examples from the web [+]

Even if he wasn't at his best, at least he'd still be alive.
He is from the Moselle valley and is used to flooding; whenever the waters are at their height, Ralf is at his best, so warm thanks to him.
I've seen him at his best, I've seen him at his worst.
I've seen him at his best, I've seen him at his worst.
I've seen him at his best, I've seen him at his worst.
I need him at his best for this next fight.
I realise Freddie wasn't at his best this morning.
Johan knew that Lance was not at his best.
Dr Enderbury's never at his best agitated.
I realise that Freddie wasn't at his best this morning.
Lover wasn't at his best.
This is a master at his best.
He is at his best in this work.
The singer was at his best in that song.
No, but I feel like you're just seeing him at a time where he's not at his best.
Lou, first of all, you've never seen Don at his best.
Will may have been at his best when you were his EP.
Klaus is at his best when there's an enemy he needs to take down.
When you two were together, he was really at his best.
And the triple at the after-hours over on Hudson Street... that was Ray Cole at his best.

This phrase is incorrect. 'Looking in his best' is not a valid expression in English.

"To everybody's surprise , the captain , looking in his best , was there ahead of all the rest . "

Show examples from the web [+]

I convinced the duke that it was in his best interests.
Ma'am, it's in his best interest.
So it was in his best interest that things go very smoothly.
He can plunge the knife in his best friend's back.
His Lordship wants the invitations written in his best text.
Your friend, the captain, has made you more curious about me.
You shoot the captain, the ship goes down.
He lured the captain, - the crew.
Not the captain, the purser.
On board, as a companion to the captain, was the 22-year-old Charles Darwin.
With regard to the captain, there is one issue: judicial decisions, in the country I know best, are taken by judges and are independent.
Bob Pickler found solace in his best friend, a young calf named Suki.
Agent Sparling, if we just made it clear to Mr. Franklin it's in his best interest...
Perhaps on this occasion, it might not be in his best interest.
Trust me, Tyler, it's in his best interest.
We just need to have a few words with Mr. Egan, convince him that publication is not in his best interest.
I don't think your father ever walked in the Mississippi River in his best suit.
Give your client some advice, helping us - is in his best interests.
Watching her little fellow toddling off in his best bib and tucker.
I'm saying this in his best interest, not yours, otherwise...

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To everybody's surprise , the captain , looking at his best , was there ahead of all the rest . vs To everybody's surprise , the captain , looking in his best , was there ahead of all the rest .