Idioms for try

    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.
    1. to put on airs: She's been trying it on ever since the inheritance came through.
    2. to be forward or presumptuous, especially with a member of the opposite sex: She avoided him after he'd tried it on with her.

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.

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

See also try on, try out

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

1

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]

2

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