Best Not Go There
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "Best not go there" means "You’d better not do that or go there." It’s the negative form of the authentic "best = had better" construction.
synonyms: don’t go there, you’d better not, stay away
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Out in the country you'll hear 'best not go there' and the like. Hillbilly Dude Says...
Out in the country you'll hear 'best not go there' and the like. Pronunciation
[BEST NOT GO THAIR]
/bɛst nɑːt ɡoʊ ðɛr/
/bɛst nɑːt ɡoʊ ðɛr/
Meaning & Usage
- Warning / Prohibition (imperative phrase)
Granny:
Best not go there after dark - the dogs’ll be out.
Best not go there after dark - the dogs’ll be out.
Jake:
Yes, ma’am.
Yes, ma’am.variations: you’d better not, better not go there
★ This phrase is the negative twin of "You best watch yourself." In Southern speech, "best" works with "not" to warn or forbid. ★
Origin and Etymology
Descended from older English "had best not"" which remained alive in Southern/Appalachian English as "best not"" or "you best not"." Common in rural transcripts and oral histories.
Usage Notes
Still widely heard in Southern/Appalachian regions. Outside the region it’s easily understood but sounds more like a colloquialism or a pop-culture warning.
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it natural: often "Best not go there" or "You best not go there" with a drawl on "there."
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 23). Best Not Go There. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/best-not-go-there
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Best Not Go There." HillbillySlang.com, 23 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/best-not-go-there.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Best Not Go There." HillbillySlang.com. September 23, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/best-not-go-there.
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