to take a shot at

Examples

• All

• Still, he thought he might take a shot at fixing the thing.

  Fiction book (2000)

• She decided to take a shot at starting her own business, despite her fears of failure.

• I think I needed to take a shot at the big time.

• And I would rather take a shot at getting the "right" result.

  Blog text (25)

• Not only that, but they are too scared, too distracted, too busy to ever take a shot at their dreams.

• "I'm tempted to take a shot at it just to get some excitement going."

  Fiction book (1991)

• And, you know, he's taking a shot at greatness, which I respect.

  Happy Hour Podcast

• Alex Michel, a "management consultant," was the first Bachelor to take a shot at love on national television.

  Blog text (29)

• And I call that person a little man because we all have the little man in our lives who drags us down, who's too afraid to take a shot at their dream.

• He was nervous, but he wanted to take a shot at winning the competition.

Synonyms

T

to try

vsto take a shot at

∞ 1.0

To make an effort to do something difficult

adds a sense of uncertainty about success rather than neutral effort

A

to attempt

vsto take a shot at

∞ 1.3

To try to do something that is difficult or new

is narrower, stressing uncertainty rather than difficulty or novelty

G

to go for

vsto take a shot at

728 2.5

To try to get something you want by making an effort

is used more for uncertain, casual attempts rather than goal pursuit

G

to give a try

vsto take a shot at

134 1.6

To do something new to see if you can do it

is used for an uncertain attempt, not only exploratory testing

T

to try for

vsto take a shot at

127 3.1

Make a strong effort to get something you want

is less determined, focusing on trying despite uncertain outcome

S

to shoot for

vsto take a shot at

• Informal

41 3.9

To try to reach a big, difficult goal

covers uncertain, casual attempts rather than ambitious, goal-directed effort

G

to give a go

vsto take a shot at

• UK

27 4.1

To try something, especially something new

highlights uncertainty of success rather than testing curiosity or skill

H

to have a go

vsto take a shot at

• UK

22 4.3

Try doing something, often for the first time

focuses on uncertain effort rather than novelty or first time

T

to take a crack at

vsto take a shot at

• Informal

16 4.9

To try to do something, often for the first time

is similar but applies broadly to any uncertain attempt

T

to take a stab at

vsto take a shot at

• Informal

12 5.3

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

expresses the same uncertain, informal attempt without added guessing sense

H

to have a go at

vsto take a shot at

• UK

9 3.4

To try doing something you have not done before

stresses the uncertain outcome rather than the newness of action

G

to give it a whirl

vsto take a shot at

• Informal

9 5.8

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

covers uncertain attempts more generally, not only first-time trials

E

to essay

vsto take a shot at

• Formal

2 7.7

To try something in a careful, experimental way

shares tentative sense but is more conversational and less formal

H

to have a stab at

vsto take a shot at

• UK

1 5.3

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

is also used for uncertain attempts but more informal in tone

T

to take one's chance

vsto take a shot at

• Informal

1 4.2

Try a risky action hoping it will work

focuses more on unsure attempts rather than seizing risky chances

Antonyms

G

to give up

∞ 1.2

To stop trying to do something or accept defeat

How Determined

to try our best

18 2.1

attempt

∞ 1.0

to take a shot at

• Informal

39 3.7

to take a stab at

• Informal

12 5.3

to have a go at

• UK

9 3.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology