try (one's) hand (at something)
try (one's) hand (at something)
To attempt to do something new; to try something for the first time. I need a new hobby. Maybe I'll try my hand at painting! Thanks for letting Janet come to rugby practice with you. I know she's eager to try her hand.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
try one's hand (at something)
to take a try at something. Someday I'd like to try my hand at flying a plane. Give me a chance. Let me try my hand!
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
try one's hand
1. Attempt to do something for the first time, as in I thought I'd try my hand at snorkeling. This idiom uses try in the sense of "ascertain by experiment or effort," a usage dating from the late 1500s.
2. Also, try one's luck. Take a chance doing something, as in We thought we'd try our luck at getting a hotel room at the last minute.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
try your hand at something
COMMON If you try your hand at something, you try doing it in order to see whether you are good at it. In his latest book, he tries his hand at fiction. After he left school, he tried his hand at a variety of jobs — bricklayer, baker, coal man.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
try your hand
see how skilful you are, especially at the first attempt. 1994 John Barth Once Upon a Time Since such dreaminess appeared to be my nature…why didn't I try my hand at writing fiction?
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
try your ˈhand (at something/doing something)
try something for the first time, for example a skill or a sport: I’ve always wanted to try my hand at golf.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
try (one's) hand
To attempt to do something for the first time: I tried my hand at skiing.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.