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Phrases related to: attempt

Yee yee! We've found 111 phrases and idioms matching attempt.

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mend one's waysTo recognise one's failings and attempt to remedy them.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
old college tryA vigorous, committed attempt or effort.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
play downTo make or attempt to make something seem less important, likely, or obvious.Rate it:

(5.00 / 5 votes)
play upTo make or attempt to make something appear more important, likely or obvious; to showcase or highlight.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
put lipstick on a pigMaking superficial or cosmetic changes in a futile attempt to hide the ugly truth of something.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
stand one's groundTo attempt to hold a position in battle.Rate it:

(5.00 / 4 votes)
whistle in the windTo attempt something that is futile; to say something that is not heeded.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
go for the goldTo attempt to achieve the maximum reward or result in an endeavor.Rate it:

(4.50 / 2 votes)
lame jokeAn attempt at humor which is perceived to have been used previously to the point of being cliche, or was never funny to begin with.Rate it:

(4.33 / 6 votes)
take a crack atTo attempt or try.Rate it:

(4.25 / 4 votes)
branch outTo attempt something new or different, but related.Rate it:

(4.00 / 2 votes)
cherry pickTo position oneself near the opponent's goal to attempt to receive an errant or intentional pass for an easy score, as in basketball or versions of soccer where offsides are not enforced.Rate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
have at itattempt, to go ahead, or to attack physically.Rate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
palm offTo attempt to pass off a counterfeit or inferior product as genuine.Rate it:

(4.00 / 2 votes)
push one's luckTo take an excessive risk or to attempt some task unlikely to succeed, especially after having already been unexpectedly lucky.Rate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
give something a tryTo try or attempt.Rate it:

(3.50 / 2 votes)
tough loveThe compassionate use of stringent disciplinary measures, to attempt to improve someone's behavior.Rate it:

(3.33 / 3 votes)
don't get someone startedUsed to attempt to avoid or abbreviate a discussion that speaker or hearer may wish to avoid.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
give it one's best shotTo make one's best effort or attempt; to try as hard as possible.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
run for one's lifeTo attempt to escape an extremely bad situationRate it:

(3.00 / 3 votes)
stand upTo stand immediately behind the wicket so as to catch balls from a slow or spin bowler, and to attempt to stump the batsman.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
take onTo attempt to fight or compete.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
boys will be boysIt is hard, often fruitless, to attempt to curb the natural playfulness and tendency to mischief of most growing boys.1922, James Joyce, Ulysses Chapter 13But just then there was a slight altercation between Master Tommy and Master Jacky. Boys will be boys and our two twins were no exception to this golden rule.Even grown men usually remain somewhat boyish in heart"Boys will be boys", grinned grandpa while he joined his adult son playing with the fancy train-set he gave his grandson for Christmas while the kid was in school.Rate it:

(2.33 / 3 votes)
Beat a Dead HorseTo attempt useless goals or to fight for a cause that has been lost already, to make a useless point, argument or discussion with anyone.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
flog a dead horseTo attempt to get extra work out of a ship's crew during the dead horse period.Rate it:

(1.00 / 2 votes)
have a stabTo make an attempt, a try.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
try to get on first!An encouraging expression to others to attempt a seemingly impossible task. The leader asks the crew to give it their best and try the "baseball theme".Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
all kidding asideUsed to attempt to make a serious point in a jocular conversation.Rate it:

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back to the drawing boardBack to the beginning following an unsuccessful attempt.Rate it:

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bark up the wrong treeTo attempt or pursue the wrong thing; to take the wrong approach; to follow a false lead.Rate it:

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bat a thousandTo achieve success at each attempt.Rate it:

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bite of the cherryA chance; an attempt at something.Rate it:

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bite off more than one can chewTo try to do too much; to take on or attempt more than one is capable of doing.Rate it:

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blame gameA situation in which people attempt to blame others rather than trying to resolve a problem.Rate it:

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bring it weakTo fail to accomplish an accomplishable task or to make an attempt at less than maximum effort; to "half-ass" or "fake the funk".Rate it:

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but seriously folksDirects attention to immediately preceding failed attempt at humor.Rate it:

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c'est donner un coup d'épée dans l'eauIt is useless trouble, an unsuccessful attempt.Rate it:

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close the stable door after the horse has boltedTo attempt to prevent a problem only to find it has already happened.Rate it:

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coffin cornerThis is an aerodynamics term which refers to a narrow and critical altitude range where an aircraft’s stall speed approaches its maximum speed, which can lead to catastrophic instability. This phrase is also used in American football to refer to the section of playing field, near the endzone, between the goal line and the 5 yard line in which punters attempt to pin the opposing team within, by executing a ‘coffin corner’ kick. This manuever is highly difficult and requires immense precision.Rate it:

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cosy up toTo come physically close to, using body language in an attempt to persuade another party to snuggle or embrace.Rate it:

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count sheepTo attempt to go to sleep by thinking of something boring, traditionally by counting imaginary sheep.Rate it:

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DNACPRInitialism of do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation.Rate it:

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DNARInitialism of do not attempt to resuscitate.Rate it:

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dummy runA trial or practice before the real attempt.Rate it:

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eyeball itView. Assess, Access, Do It!; Attempt an Action in A Simple, Un-Conventional MannerRate it:

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fall between two stoolsTo attempt two tasks and fail at both, when either one could have been accomplished singly.Rate it:

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find oneselfTo learn, or attempt to learn, what kind of person one is and what one wants in life.Rate it:

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flog a dead horseTo attempt to get more out of something that cannot give more.Rate it:

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get afterTo move into action in attempt to catch or defeat another.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
get afterTo attempt to convince another to move into action.Rate it:

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