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Glite Dictionary
to give a go

to give a go

1 4.1
To try something, especially something new
  • phrasal verb
  • UK
translation icon : intentar
  • This one is Anna Sui Fantasia Mermaid, which clearly I had to give a go as the mermaid swimmer that I am.

This one is Anna Sui Fantasia Mermaid, which clearly I had to give a go as the mermaid swimmer that I am.

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Examples

  • Given that we know a little bit about the kind of change we are and will continue to experience, we can try a few things that might make a bit of sense to give a go.

    Blog text (32)

  • I recently gave a go to the Essence lip liners show you like how creamy this almost looks like a lipstick squatch.

    Tati

  • But a very, very easy one that you can give a go to is to drop down a brand.

    Be Clever With Your Cash

  • Can you give a go for fourth orbit?

    You Only Live Twice (1967)

  • And if I were you, I'd give a go at taking our young friend here.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • I decided to give a go at painting for the first time this weekend.

  • If you're unsure, you should give a go and see how you feel about it.

  • She encouraged her friends to give a go at the new restaurant in town.

Synonyms

to attempt
vsto give a go
∞ 1.3

To try to do something that is difficult or new

is more casual and about trying new things rather than formal effort
to go for
vsto give a go
272 2.5

To try to get something you want by making an effort

centers on trying new activities rather than pursuing a concrete goal
to try out
vsto give a go
229 2.8

To test something to see how it works

focuses more on first-time testing rather than any attempt to do tasks
to give it a try
vsto give a go
102 1.7

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

highlights first-time attempts rather than repeated or formal tries
to take a shot at
vsto give a go
  • Informal
45 3.7

To try to do something even when success is uncertain

emphasizes first-time or new attempts rather than risk or uncertainty
to have a go
vsto give a go
  • UK
33 4.3

Try doing something, often for the first time

focuses on trying new things rather than long or formal effort
to take a crack at
vsto give a go
  • Informal
16 4.9

To try to do something, often for the first time

is about trying new things rather than formal or planned attempts
to have a go at
vsto give a go
  • UK
11 3.4

To try doing something you have not done before

emphasizes trying things that are new rather than general attempts
to take a stab at
vsto give a go
  • Informal
10 5.3

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

focuses on novelty and first tries rather than on low expectation
to give it a whirl
vsto give a go
  • Informal
8 5.8

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

is about trying new things rather than general effort or goal pursuit
to take one's chance
vsto give a go
  • Informal
4 4.2

Try a risky action hoping it will work

is about trying as a first-time or casual experiment rather than risking outcomes
to essay
vsto give a go
  • Formal
1 7.7

To try something in a careful, experimental way

is centered on trying new things rather than cautious experimental effort
to have a stab at
vsto give a go
  • UK
1 5.3

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

places more weight on newness than on low confidence or uncertainty
to give a try
vsto give a go
1 1.6

To do something new to see if you can do it

is aimed at first tries rather than formal or difficult attempts
to give a whirl
vsto give a go
  • Informal
4.9

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

stresses trying new activities rather than broader attempts

Antonyms

to avoid
∞ 1.0

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

to give up
∞ 1.2

To stop trying to do something or accept defeat

How Willing

to give a go
  • UK
1 4.1
to try
∞ 1.0
to have a go
  • UK
33 4.3

Surface Forms

give a go infinitive
gave a go past
given a go past participle
giving a go present participle
gives a go third person singular

Morphology

give + a + go

The noun 'go' can mean 'an attempt' and 'give' means to offer or produce, so 'give a go' is directly interpretable as 'offer/try an attempt'. This construction mirrors common, productive patterns (e.g., 'have a go', 'give it a try') and would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.

Etymology

Give a go may come from the simple idea of taking turns in a game: someone 'gives' another person a go (a turn) to try something. So, give a go means 'to try' something, often something new.