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Glite Dictionary
to have a go at

to have a go at

11 3.4
To try doing something you have not done before
  • phrasal verb
  • UK
translation icon : intentar
  • She decided to have a go at rock climbing during her vacation.
  • let me have a go at
  • want to have a go at
  • wanna have a go at

Money was obviously I couldn't get a job in scaffolding, so I thought I'll have a go at this with this company.

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Examples

  • OK, anyone want to have a go at telling me what happens with this one?

  • There are so many other jobs I would love to have a go at!

    Blog text (20)

  • So why not have a go at making it happen and be part of it?

  • 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)

  • You want to have a go at it?

    Fiction book (1996)

  • Let's have a go at this.

    Crispy's Curse (2017)

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

    Fiction book (1992)

  • It's about the once-in-a-lifetime experiences we get the chance to have a go at.

    Blog text (34)

  • It all gets really complicated, but I think we should have a go at it one day.

Synonyms

to try
vsto have a go at
∞ 1.0

To make an effort to do something difficult

narrows this to trying mainly when the task is new to you
to attempt
vsto have a go at
∞ 1.3

To try to do something that is difficult or new

includes first-time attempts but focuses on newness rather than difficulty
to give it a try
vsto have a go at
102 1.7

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

is used when the main aim is to try something new
to take a shot at
vsto have a go at
  • Informal
45 3.7

To try to do something even when success is uncertain

stresses trying because the action is new rather than risk level
to have a go
vsto have a go at
  • UK
33 4.3

Try doing something, often for the first time

focuses on trying something new for the first time
to take a crack at
vsto have a go at
  • Informal
16 4.9

To try to do something, often for the first time

emphasizes trying specifically because it is unfamiliar to the doer
to take a stab at
vsto have a go at
  • Informal
10 5.3

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

is about trying mainly because it is a new experience
to give it a whirl
vsto have a go at
  • Informal
8 5.8

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

highlights trying because the action is new to the person
to essay
vsto have a go at
  • Formal
1 7.7

To try something in a careful, experimental way

is used when the attempt is specifically about trying something new
to have a stab at
vsto have a go at
  • UK
1 5.3

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

focuses more on first experiences than on uncertainty of outcome
to give a go
vsto have a go at
  • UK
1 4.1

To try something, especially something new

is about trying particularly because it is your first time
to give a try
vsto have a go at
1 1.6

To do something new to see if you can do it

stresses that the action is a first or new experience
to give a whirl
vsto have a go at
  • Informal
4.9

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

is about attempting because the person has not done it before

Antonyms

to give up
∞ 1.2

To stop trying to do something or accept defeat

How Hard

to try
∞ 1.0
to have a go at
  • UK
11 3.4

Surface Forms

have a go at infinitive
had a go at past
had a go at past participle
having a go at present participle
has a go at third person singular

Morphology

have + a + go + at

The meaning is directly built from 'have' + 'a' + 'go' (where 'go' = 'a single attempt') + 'at' (marking the target), so a learner who knows the noun sense of 'go' will infer 'to have an attempt at' → 'to try'. This is a regular compositional pattern in English with clear parallels in other languages, making the expression transparent to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.

Etymology

Have a go at comes from the simple idea of taking a turn to try something. Imagine someone at a fair stepping forward to have a go on a game, and that picture explains why it means 'to try' something, often for the first time.