to have a stab at

Examples

• All

• But I've been doing difficult fractionations for 40 years... - ...and I'd like to have a stab at it.

  Lorenzo's Oil (1992)

• So, I'm gonna have a stab at this, while I leave the boys to their pyrotechnics.

  Trigger Man (2007)

• But, if you'd care to have a stab at explaining precisely why it is so, this should be good.

  Blog text (30)

• You had a stab at it with this new generation of audiences and it's clear that word of mouth didn't propel that 4th film like it did the first time around.

  Blog text (1)

• I'd like to have a stab at solving this puzzle myself.

• Why don't you have a stab at writing the first paragraph of the story?

• She decided to have a stab at cooking a new recipe for dinner.

Synonyms

A

to attempt

vsto have a stab at

∞ 1.3

To try to do something that is difficult or new

is more informal and highlights uncertainty rather than formal attempting

G

to go for

vsto have a stab at

272 2.5

To try to get something you want by making an effort

is used more for casual tries that do not imply strong pursuit

G

to give it a try

vsto have a stab at

102 1.7

Try something for the first time to see if you like it

is about attempting when success is uncertain rather than testing interest

T

to try for

vsto have a stab at

76 3.1

Make a strong effort to get something you want

is about trying when success is uncertain rather than sustained effort

T

to take a shot at

vsto have a stab at

• Informal

45 3.7

To try to do something even when success is uncertain

focuses on trying despite doubt rather than on strong determination

H

to have a go

vsto have a stab at

• UK

33 4.3

Try doing something, often for the first time

puts more weight on uncertainty of success than on newness

T

to take a crack at

vsto have a stab at

• Informal

16 4.9

To try to do something, often for the first time

is centred on trying with uncertain success rather than purely testing skill

H

to have a go at

vsto have a stab at

• UK

11 3.4

To try doing something you have not done before

is more about attempting without certainty rather than novelty or first time

T

to take a stab at

vsto have a stab at

• Informal

10 5.3

To try to do something when you are not sure you will succeed

is used for trying without certain success rather than planned effort

G

to give it a whirl

vsto have a stab at

• Informal

8 5.8

To try something for the first time to see if it works

leans more on attempting with unclear success rather than light experimentation

E

to essay

vsto have a stab at

• Formal

1 7.7

To try something in a careful, experimental way

is more about trying despite doubt rather than experimental trial

T

to take a shot in the dark

vsto have a stab at

• Informal

1 7.0

To guess or try something without much information

is about trying despite uncertainty but not specifically by guessing blindly

G

to give a go

vsto have a stab at

• UK

1 4.1

To try something, especially something new

is more about trying despite not being sure of success

G

to give a try

vsto have a stab at

1 1.6

To do something new to see if you can do it

stresses trying despite uncertain outcome rather than simple experimentation

M

to make a fist of

vsto have a stab at

• UK

8.2

Try hard to do a difficult task and succeed a little

is used for casual uncertain attempts rather than effortful partial success

Antonyms

A

to avoid

∞ 1.0

To stay away from something or not do it to stop something bad from happening

G

to give up

∞ 1.2

To stop trying to do something or accept defeat

How Hard

to strive

156 3.7

to try

∞ 1.0

to have a stab at

• UK

1 5.3

to have a go

• UK

33 4.3

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology