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give it a try — to attempt something or test something to see if it works or if you like it

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to attempt something or test something to see if it works or if you like it

Pronunciation (IPA): /ɡɪv ɪt ə traɪ/

Example Sentences

  • My grandmother insisted on learning TikTok dances, saying 'I'll give it a try, what's the worst that could happen?'
  • Even though I'm terrible at cooking, I decided to give making sushi a try for my date.
  • The math problem looked impossible, but the teacher encouraged us to give it a try anyway.

give it a try

VERB

[/ɡɪv ɪt ə traɪ/]

to attempt something or test something to see if it works or if you like it

Nervous at the climbing wall, she finally decides to give it a try.
💡 Concept

Nervous at the climbing wall, she finally decides to give it a try.

She gave the unfamiliar machine a try and successfully fixed the broken bicycle. (GIVE IT(=give it an opportunity) + A TRY(=an attempt) → give something an opportunity to be tried)
🧠 Mnemonic

She gave the unfamiliar machine a try and successfully fixed the broken bicycle. (GIVE IT(=give it an opportunity) + A TRY(=an attempt) → give something an opportunity to be tried)

“Give it a try — you might fly!” the coach told the nervous beginner before her first skydiving lesson.
🎵 Rhyme

“Give it a try — you might fly!” the coach told the nervous beginner before her first skydiving lesson.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ɡɪv ɪt ə traɪ/
🇬🇧 UK/ɡɪv ɪt ə traɪ/

🌳Etymology

Origin

This phrase combines Old Norse 'gefa' (to give) and French 'trier' (to try), forming a modern English idiom. It developed from the conceptual metaphor of 'giving' oneself an opportunity to 'attempt' something, blending Germanic and Romance linguistic elements.

Breakdown

give (from Old Norse 'gefa', meaning to bestow or grant) + try (from French 'trier', meaning to attempt or test). The phrase semantically merges the notion of offering oneself a chance with the act of attempting.

🎵Rhyme

tryflyskywhy
try
fly
sky
why

🔗Collocations

give it a try first
willing to give it a try
decide to give it a try
give it a fair try
give it another try
give it a good try

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My grandmother insisted on learning TikTok dances, saying 'I'll give it a try, what's the worst that could happen?'”

“Even though I'm terrible at cooking, I decided to give making sushi a try for my date.”

“The math problem looked impossible, but the teacher encouraged us to give it a try anyway.”

😄 Fun example

“When my cat saw me doing yoga, he decided to give it a try and ended up sleeping in downward dog pose.”

📚Related Words

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