Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

old college try

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.99 in modern English

Syllables: old -col-lege try
IPA

20

Scrabble Score

13

Letters

3

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A vigorous, committed attempt or effort, often in the context of a nearly hopeless situation where failure is expected.

Informal

Example Sentences

"Those who have seen Ruth make the "old college try" understand that some professionals play with a spiritual fervor which is supposed to be the amateur's prerogative."
"Reeve gives his role the old college try—fervent amateurism."
""You know, all I can do is go out there and give it the old college try and play my hardest.""

Etymology

From the ambitiousness of college athletes. Earliest known use from 1914. Said to have been coined by John McGraw, manager of the New York Giants from 1902–1932 (see citation from 1917).

Usage

Informal

Inflected Forms

old college tries (plural)

Phrases

give it one's best shot

Frequently Paired Words

give it one's best shot

Questions

What does old college try mean?: A vigorous, committed attempt or effort, often in the context of a nearly hopeless situation where failure is expected.
Where does old college try come from?: From the ambitiousness of college athletes. Earliest known use from 1914. Said to have been coined by John McGraw, manager of the New York Giants from 1902–1932 (see citation from 1917).

How to pronounce old college try

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