2

I am recieving a small scholarship for university, and I have been asked to write a couple sentences (presumably for the founders of the scholarship to see) describing what this scholarship means to me. I would like my last sentence to end with something like

"...and I will make the most out of it."

I am afraid that this might sound like "this is a small amount of money, but I will do with it what I can."

Is my fear founded?

Improve this question
2
  • @JEL Thanks for the suggestion, I will use that. But just for me to understand; is there any room to interpret my original sentence in the way that I feared it might be interpreted?
    – Ovi
    Commented Oct 25, 2017 at 3:33
  • 1
    I disagree with @NigelJ, I think the phrase make the most out of it is most often used in the case of a suboptimal situation, similar to `finding a silver-lining'. But I agree with @JEL that if it's made explicit, the context overrides that default (and perhaps subjective) connotation.
    – DilithiumMatrix
    Commented Oct 25, 2017 at 3:50

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2

Regarding the connotation of “make the most of it”

Collins offer:

To use to the best advantage.

Which would seem to suit your case, however the Cambridge definition reads:

To use or enjoy something as much as possible.

Which does introduce the additional wording 'as possible' and thereby encompasses the concept of less than that you mentioned. Which is made even clearer in the example they offer:

We’re only in Paris for a day, so let’s make the most of it.

only obviously implying a degree of not enough.

For a similar meaning, not open to a diminutive interpretation, I would suggest:

...and I will make it count.

To make something have as useful and positive an effect as possible

You only get one chance, so you have to make it count.

-Macmillan Dictionary.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .