to have a go

Examples

• All

• Would you like to have a go at learning to play the guitar?

• More peaceful souls can have a go at virtual agriculture without getting their hands dirty.

  Blog text (25)

• Well, have you had a go on that thing?

• Would you like to have a go?

  Bridget Jones's Baby (2016)

• Do you want to have a go?

  Weekend (2011)

• Should we have a go at doing some work today?

  Stalker (2010)

• Yes, and have a go at this and tell me what you think.

  Merchant Ivory (2024)

• Want to come tomorrow and have a go at the garage with me?

  Fiction book (1992)

• Why don't you two have a go?

  Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022)

• Why don't we just have a go at what we had talked about when we started?

  Blog text (15)

Synonyms

A

to attempt

vsto have a go

∞ 1.3

To try to do something that is difficult or new

is more colloquial and often used for simple new attempts

T

to try out

vsto have a go

183 2.8

To test something to see how it works

refers to attempting rather than specifically testing functionality

G

to give a try

vsto have a go

134 1.6

To do something new to see if you can do it

is the familiar, informal form used for such simple efforts

G

to give it a try

vsto have a go

92 1.7

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

is the everyday way to describe that same first effort

T

to take a shot at

vsto have a go

• Informal

39 3.7

To try to do something even when success is uncertain

is a common informal phrase without stressing uncertain chances

G

to give a go

vsto have a go

• UK

27 4.1

To try something, especially something new

is the common informal phrase for making an initial attempt

T

to take a crack at

vsto have a go

• Informal

16 4.9

To try to do something, often for the first time

is similar but is a more neutral, common everyday phrase

G

to give a whirl

vsto have a go

• Informal

12 4.9

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

focuses on attempting rather than testing for enjoyment or skill

T

to take a stab at

vsto have a go

• Informal

12 5.3

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

is used more broadly for routine initial attempts, not only uncertain ones

H

to have a go at

vsto have a go

• UK

9 3.4

To try doing something you have not done before

is the standard informal expression for that first attempt

G

to give it a whirl

vsto have a go

• Informal

9 5.8

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

means the same attempt but without implying a short experiment

E

to essay

vsto have a go

• Formal

2 7.7

To try something in a careful, experimental way

is more casual and general, not mainly experimental

H

to have a stab at

vsto have a go

• UK

1 5.3

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

is the general informal expression for making such an attempt

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 try our best

18 2.1

to try

∞ 1.0

to have a go

• UK

22 4.3

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology