give it a shot
try it
STATISTICS
IN THE PRESS
So we might as well be the ones who GIVE IT A SHOT and try to help. So I got other people together. We crafted a solution.
(Forbes magazine)
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If you want to GIVE IT A SHOT, just get yourself in there, learn the technical aspects of the sport as well as the fitness side, and you'll be fine.
(BBC News)
(Forbes magazine)
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If you want to GIVE IT A SHOT, just get yourself in there, learn the technical aspects of the sport as well as the fitness side, and you'll be fine.
(BBC News)
Did you
know?
give it a shot
idiom
- to attempt to do something
(Cambridge Idioms Dictionary)
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The noun shot has been used in the sense of "an attempt, a try" since around the middle of the 18th century. How this came about is unclear, but perhaps it derived from the idea of trying to shoot a weapon (shot is the past tense and past participle of "to shoot"). Shot is used in a similar context to describe an attempt to make a goal or score points in sports (He shot two goals during the match). It also refers to an injection with a needle (He gave the patient a shot to ease the pain).
Give it a shot, as in making an attempt at something, can also be expressed as "have a shot at" or "take a shot at." In addition, to try one's best is to "give it one's best shot." Other idioms that use the word shot include:
a long shot - something that will probably not succeed but is worth trying (I know it's a long shot, but I'll call Bob and see if he can help us out.)
a parting shot - a remark that you say as you are leaving somewhere so that it has a strong effect (She made a parting shot that left everyone speechless at the end of the meeting.)
a shot in the arm - something that gives you encouragement or energy (The new funding will give us a much needed shot in the arm to continue the project.)
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SYNONYMS
give it a go, give it a whirl, take a crack at, take a stab at, have a whack at, make a pass at
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SMUGGLE OWAD INTO TODAY'S CONVERSATION:
"If Susan doesn't have time to write the press release, tell her I'll give it a shot."
idiom
- to attempt to do something
(Cambridge Idioms Dictionary)
---
The noun shot has been used in the sense of "an attempt, a try" since around the middle of the 18th century. How this came about is unclear, but perhaps it derived from the idea of trying to shoot a weapon (shot is the past tense and past participle of "to shoot"). Shot is used in a similar context to describe an attempt to make a goal or score points in sports (He shot two goals during the match). It also refers to an injection with a needle (He gave the patient a shot to ease the pain).
Give it a shot, as in making an attempt at something, can also be expressed as "have a shot at" or "take a shot at." In addition, to try one's best is to "give it one's best shot." Other idioms that use the word shot include:
a long shot - something that will probably not succeed but is worth trying (I know it's a long shot, but I'll call Bob and see if he can help us out.)
a parting shot - a remark that you say as you are leaving somewhere so that it has a strong effect (She made a parting shot that left everyone speechless at the end of the meeting.)
a shot in the arm - something that gives you encouragement or energy (The new funding will give us a much needed shot in the arm to continue the project.)
---
SYNONYMS
give it a go, give it a whirl, take a crack at, take a stab at, have a whack at, make a pass at
---
SMUGGLE OWAD INTO TODAY'S CONVERSATION:
"If Susan doesn't have time to write the press release, tell her I'll give it a shot."
