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Glite Dictionary
to take a crack at

to take a crack at

16 4.9
To try to do something, often for the first time
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
translation icon : intentar
  • She decided to take a crack at painting a landscape for the first time.
  • want to take a crack at
  • let me take a crack at
  • take a crack at writing

Let's go ahead and take a crack at this campaign.

Examples

Synonyms

to attempt
vsto take a crack at
∞ 1.3

To try to do something that is difficult or new

is more about an initial test of ability rather than formal effort
to give it a try
vsto take a crack at
102 1.7

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

is used when making an initial effort to test ability
to take a shot at
vsto take a crack at
  • Informal
45 3.7

To try to do something even when success is uncertain

is focused on trying to see if one can succeed at first
to have a go
vsto take a crack at
  • UK
33 4.3

Try doing something, often for the first time

is used when testing if one can succeed at it
to have a go at
vsto take a crack at
  • UK
11 3.4

To try doing something you have not done before

is about trying out ability rather than repeating known tasks
to take a stab at
vsto take a crack at
  • Informal
10 5.3

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

is used to try something as a first test of skill
to give it a whirl
vsto take a crack at
  • Informal
8 5.8

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

is focused on trying for the first time to check ability
to essay
vsto take a crack at
  • Formal
1 7.7

To try something in a careful, experimental way

is used when making a first or testing effort for success
to have a stab at
vsto take a crack at
  • UK
1 5.3

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

is aimed at an initial test of ability despite uncertainty
to give a try
vsto take a crack at
1 1.6

To do something new to see if you can do it

is used especially to test whether one can succeed
to give a go
vsto take a crack at
  • UK
1 4.1

To try something, especially something new

is aimed at testing capability or seeing if it works
to give a whirl
vsto take a crack at
  • Informal
4.9

Try something once to see if you like it or are good at it

is about testing ability or success rather than general practice

Antonyms

to give up
∞ 1.2

To stop trying to do something or accept defeat

How Hard

to strive
156 3.7
try
  • Specialized
423 1.0
to take a crack at
  • Informal
16 4.9
to have a go
  • UK
33 4.3

Surface Forms

take a crack at infinitive
took a crack at past
taken a crack at past participle
taking a crack at present participle
takes a crack at third person singular

Morphology

take + a + crack + at

The meaning is directly compositional: 'take' + 'a' + 'crack' (here glossed as 'a try') + 'at' literally yields 'take a try at' something. Because the noun 'crack' can be understood as 'a try' and the pattern mirrors common 'take + noun + at' constructions with equivalents in many languages, a B1 learner who knows the constituent senses should be able to infer the idiom's meaning.

Etymology

Take a crack at may come from the picture of giving something a hard crack, like hitting a nut or a locked box to open it. So, to take a crack at something means to 'try' it or make a first attempt.