> as lemmas

?1527 J. Skelton Agaynste Comely Coystrowne Iak wold Iet and yet Iyll sayd nay. he counteth in his countenaunce to checke with y^e best.

1574 J. Higgins 1st Pt. Mirour for Magistrates Cassibellane f. 73^v Who would not, meeting Cæsar in the place, Fight for life, prince and countrey with the beste.

?1578 W. Patten Let. Entertainm. Killingwoorth 86 I coold my rulez, coold conster & pars with the best of them.

1608 G. Markham & L. Machin Dumbe Knight i. sig. B3^v Be patient wench, and thou shalt shortly see me gallant it with the best.

1691 T. Brown Weesils ii. 7 His Wife too, in her Cock'd Comode well drest, And richest Silks, can rustle with the best.

1748 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 5 Jan. (1966) II. 393 I can assure you she jumps and Gallops with the best of them.

1782 F. Burney Cecilia III. v. i. 9 Warrant I'll mob with the best of them!

1864 Ld. Tennyson Grandmother v, in Enoch Arden, etc. 116 Only at your age, Annie, I could have wept with the best.

1889 H. O'Reilly & J. Y. Nelson Fifty Years on Trail 7 As junior waiter..I could sling dishes around with the best of them.

1935 ‘L. Luard’ Conquering Seas 32 I can make tea with the best of 'em, Peter.

1957 I. Cross God Boy (1958) xxii. 187 I can drag my share out of the old girls with the best of them.

2004 Mojo June 88/3 In the beginning, Gaye could soul-shout with the best.