The next best thing to flying is gliding.

仅次于飞行的事就是滑翔。

《牛津词典》

The one thing he didn't have was a son. I think he's felt that a grandson is the next best thing.

有一样东西他没有，就是儿子。我觉得他有个外孙感觉也不错。

《柯林斯英汉双解大词典》

If you can't be there in person, the next best thing is watching the match on TV.

如果你不能亲自到场，那就只能在电视上看比赛了。

youdao

Combinations of drugs are able to suppress the deadly virus in the body -- if not a cure, in the traditional sense but the next best thing.

VOA: special.2010.07.14

Before refrigerators were invented, the next best thing was an ice box.

VOA: special.2009.11.30

'It may have seen itself as the leader but it was basically the next best thing in its own Revolutionary discourse on the market.

VOA: standard.2010.07.26

The American version makes business success the next best thing to fraternalism and solidarity.

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They can't pay players, so they choose the next best thing: shiny facilities to lure them.

WSJ: College Sports and the Giant Albatross��Rachel Bachman

If you are unable to get any tenerals, then mature females are the next best thing.

NPR: The Cicadas Are Coming!