had better

== English == === Alternative forms === 'd better, better (see usage note) === Etymology === See better (adverb) === Pronunciation === === Verb === had better (idiomatic, with bare infinitive, informal) Should; ought to; need to; must. ==== Usage notes ==== The negative form is had better not, but in question hadn’t is also possible (see also bettern't). Had better is a strong expression. It usually indicates that there will be a consequence or negative result if someone does not follow the suggestion. Colloquially, had is often reduced to the clitic 'd or omitted. See better. ==== Synonyms ==== had best ==== Translations ====