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Glite Dictionary
to give it a whirl

to give it a whirl

9 5.8
To try something for the first time to see if it works
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
: intentar
  • But if you are willing to give it a whirl, I promise you won't be disappointed.
  • Let's give it a whirl
  • Want to give it a whirl
  • say, give it a whirl

I don't know if you remember this, but let's give it a whirl.

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Examples

Synonyms

to try
vsto give it a whirl
∞ 1.0

To test something to see if it works

is more about a simple attempt to see if it works for you personally
to try out
vsto give it a whirl
183 2.8

To test something to see how it works

is a quick personal attempt focused on seeing if an action succeeds
to give a try
vsto give it a whirl
134 1.6

To do something new to see if you can do it

aims at trying once informally rather than evaluating performance formally
to give it a try
vsto give it a whirl
92 1.7

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

is an informal trial focused on first attempts rather than formal testing
to take a shot at
vsto give it a whirl
  • Informal
39 3.7

To try to do something even when success is uncertain

is a light, exploratory attempt aimed at seeing if it works
to give a go
vsto give it a whirl
  • UK
27 4.1

To try something, especially something new

emphasizes a casual first attempt to see if it works for you
to have a go
vsto give it a whirl
  • UK
22 4.3

Try doing something, often for the first time

focuses on trying to test feasibility rather than formal evaluation
to take a crack at
vsto give it a whirl
  • Informal
16 4.9

To try to do something, often for the first time

is an informal experiment to test whether the action works or fits you
to give a whirl
vsto give it a whirl
  • Informal
12 4.9

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

is a casual attempt mainly to find out if it works or suits you
to take a stab at
vsto give it a whirl
  • Informal
12 5.3

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

is similar but stresses trying something to check how it goes
to have a go at
vsto give it a whirl
  • UK
9 3.4

To try doing something you have not done before

is about attempting to see if it works rather than practicing extensively
to trial
vsto give it a whirl
2 3.3

To test something to see how well it works

is a casual first attempt aimed at seeing if it works at all
to essay
vsto give it a whirl
  • Formal
2 7.7

To try something in a careful, experimental way

is a casual try aimed at checking if it works rather than formal testing
to have a stab at
vsto give it a whirl
  • UK
1 5.3

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

is more about a new trial to check if it works than expected success
to make trial of
vsto give it a whirl
  • Archaic
1 7.2

To try something to see if it works

is more of an informal trial to check personal fit or basic function

Antonyms

to give up
∞ 1.2

To stop trying to do something or accept defeat

How Hard

attempt
∞ 1.0
to try
∞ 1.0
to give it a whirl
  • Informal
9 5.8
to dabble
50 4.8

Surface Forms

give it a whirl infinitive

Morphology

give + it + a + whirl

The phrase uses a metaphorical extension: 'give' (provide) + 'a whirl' (literally a spin or fast movement) is used to mean 'give it a try'. The connection is partially inferable from the constituents but requires mapping 'whirl' to 'an attempt' (an idiomatic/metaphorical use) so a B1 learner may not reliably derive the meaning without prior exposure.

Etymology

Give it a whirl may come from the simple picture of give plus a quick whirl, where you spin something fast to test how it works, like giving a wheel one turn to see if it moves. So, it now means 'to try something' or 'to attempt'..