Put me out of my misery

[2134darren]

Can someone please tell me where the phrase "to do your level best" originates.

[Quizmonster]

'Level best' started its life as a colloquial/slang expression in America in the middle of the 19th century. I imagine the idea behind it was that this was the highest one's ability could stretch up to, as if on some sort of ability-measuring graph or device.

[taichiperson]

Or perhaps it's referring to 'playing on a level field' - i.e. you would not be cheating?