Difference in meaning

This idiom is a wee bit tricky.

You can say "we are best friends" which means the same as "we are the best of friends"

but if you say "we are the best friends...." then that sentence is incomplete.

imo the better phrase is "we are the best of friends"

Many thanks. McTag

Who the bloody hell votes these questions down?

What possible useful purpose does that serve?

If you complain, the site people and their fanbois just scream at you for being stupid. I've tried it.