Idioms for try
- to put on airs: She's been trying it on ever since the inheritance came through.
- to be forward or presumptuous, especially with a member of the opposite sex: She avoided him after he'd tried it on with her.
give it the old college try, Informal.
to make a sincere effort: I gave it the old college try and finally found an apartment.
try it/that on, Chiefly British Informal.
Origin of try
1250–1300; Middle English
trien to try (a legal case) < Anglo-French
trier, Old French: to sift, cull, of uncertain origin
SYNONYMS FOR try
1, 10
Try,
attempt,
endeavor,
strive all mean to put forth an effort toward a specific end.
Try is the most often used and most general term:
to try to decipher a message; to try hard to succeed.
Attempt, often interchangeable with
try, sometimes suggests the possibility of failure and is often used in reference to more serious or important matters:
to attempt to formulate a new theory of motion.
Endeavor emphasizes serious and continued exertion of effort, sometimes aimed at dutiful or socially appropriate behavior:
to endeavor to fulfill one's obligations.
Strive, stresses persistent, vigorous, even strenuous effort, often in the face of obstacles:
to strive to overcome a handicap.
usage note for try
10.
Try followed by
and instead of
to has been in standard use since the 17th century:
The Justice Department has decided to try and regulate jury-selection practices. The construction occurs only with the base form
try, not with
tries or
tried or
trying. Although some believe that
try and is less formal than
try to, both patterns occur in all types of speech and writing.
OTHER WORDS FROM try
pre·try, verb (used with object), pre·tried, pre·try·ing. re·try, verb, re·tried, re·try·ing.Words nearby try
British Dictionary definitions for try on (1 of 2)
try on
verb (tr, adverb)
to put on (an article of clothing) to find out whether it fits or is suitable
try it on informal
to attempt to deceive or fool someone
noun try-on
British informal
an action or statement made to test out a person's gullibility, tolerance, etc
British Dictionary definitions for try on (2 of 2)
try
/ (traɪ) /
verb tries, trying or tried
noun plural tries
Word Origin for try
C13: from Old French
trier to sort, sift, of uncertain origin
usage for try
The use of
and instead of
to after
try is very common, but should be avoided in formal writing:
we must try to prevent (not
try and prevent)
this happening
Medical definitions for try on
Try
abbr.
tryptophan
Idioms and Phrases with try on (1 of 2)
try on
Test the fit or look of a garment by putting it on, as in Do you want to try on this dress? This expression is also put as try on for size, which is sometimes used figuratively, as in The teacher wanted to try the new method on for size before agreeing to use it. [Late 1600s]
Test the effectiveness or acceptability of something, as in The actors decided to try on the new play out of town. [Late 1800s] Also see try out.
Idioms and Phrases with try on (2 of 2)
try