What does give something a shot mean?

give something a shot

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.02 in modern English

Syllables: give -some-thing a shot
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Meaning

verb

To try or attempt (something); to give something a try.

Example Sentences

"I don’t think it will work, but I suppose you could give restarting the computer a shot."
"But the prospect of Harris at the top of the ticket was making him rethink that switch. Mr. Gaines now says he is open to at least considering her. “If Kamala steps up, that would change history,” he said. “I’d give her a shot.”"

Inflected Forms

gives something a shot (present, singular) giving something a shot (participle, present) gave something a shot (past) given something a shot (participle, past)

Phrases

give it one's best shot shoot one's shot take shot

Frequently Paired Words

give it one's best shot shoot one's shot take shot

Synonyms

give something a go have a go at something give something a lash have a lash at something give something a try have a try at something give something the old college try give something a whirl take a crack at something have a crack at something take a stab at something have a stab at something