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Meanings of had best in English

Act in one's own or everybody's best interest.

Usage of had best in English
1
Perry won video of the year and Gaga had best female video.
Reuters
2
It was a feeling she had best get used to, she decided.
The Sails of Tau Ceti
3
You had best do all that you can to prevent further deaths.
Spellwright
4
What you may, think of us had best be kept to yourself.
The Sword of Shannara
5
And now I reckon we had best get in atween our blankets.
In the Heart of the Rockies: A Story of Adventure in Colorado
6
And now, sir, perhaps I had best show you to your rooms.
Sherlock holmes: the complete illustrated novels
7
Once round it we had best turn her head to the rocks.
The Dragon and the Raven; Or, The Days of King Alfred
8
So we had best lose no time in getting out of Leith.
Both Sides the Border: A Tale of Hotspur and Glendower
9
You had best get away from here as quickly as you can.
A vote of confidence
10
If one rises early, all had best rise early; and so on.
How to Do It
11
No, Ned, I think you had best return here in the ship.
By Pike and Dyke: a Tale of the Rise of the Dutch Republic
12
Perhaps I had best be alone while I examine the other documents.
A Dream of Empire; Or, The House of Blennerhassett
13
Yes, I had best give him one of my daughters in marriage.
Mohammed Ali and His House
14
We had best get from under the trees, for all the hail.
Deerbrook
15
Martindale is asleep, sir; you had best not go in,' said she.
Heartsease; Or, The Brother's Wife
16
He got the driver and stood wondering where he had best begin.
The Bat
This collocation consists of:
Had best through the time
Had best across language varieties
United Kingdom
Common
United States of America
Less common