单词	try
释义	try1 verbtry2 noun trytry1 /traɪ/ ●●● S1 W1 verb (past tense and past participle tried, present participle trying, third person singular tries) Entry menu MENU FOR trytry1 attempt2 test/use3 food/drink4 try to find somebody/something5 door/window6 law7 try somebody’s patience8 try your hand at something9 try your luck10 try it on (with somebody)Phrasal verbstry for somethingtry something ontry something outtry out for something Word Origin WORD ORIGINtry1 Origin: 1200-1300 Old French trier ‘to pick out, sift’, probably from Late Latin tritare ‘to rub to pieces’, from Latin terere ‘to rub’ Verb Table VERB TABLE try Simple Form Present I, you, we, they try he, she, it tries Past I, you, he, she, it, we, they tried Present perfect I, you, we, they have tried he, she, it has tried Past perfect I, you, he, she, it, we, they had tried Future I, you, he, she, it, we, they will try Future perfect I, you, he, she, it, we, they will have tried Continuous Form Present I am trying he, she, it is trying you, we, they are trying Past I, he, she, it was trying you, we, they were trying Present perfect I, you, we, they have been trying he, she, it has been trying Past perfect I, you, he, she, it, we, they had been trying Future I, you, he, she, it, we, they will be trying Future perfect I, you, he, she, it, we, they will have been trying Examples EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES "Do you like goat's milk?" "I don't know, I've never tried it." Harriet picked up the ball and tried a shot at the basket. Have you tried Alison's carrot cake? Have you tried those new barbecue-flavoured crisps? He tried to walk past me down the stairs, but I stopped him. His mother tried threats, bribery -- everything, but Danny still refused to go to school. I'll go try the phone upstairs. I'll tell some jokes to try and cheer him up. I'm sorry, but Ms. Bouvier is out of the office. Could you try again later. I tried aerobics once, but I didn't really enjoy it. I tried all the keys, but none of them would open the door. I tried to get another job but I had no luck. I knocked, then tried the door. It was open, but the room was empty. I think you should try planning your essays in rough before you start writing. I was trying hard to concentrate, but my mind kept wandering. I went around the back to try the windows, but they were all locked. Nadine tried six stores before she found the book Sam wanted. Running is really good exercise - you should try it. Sorry I didn't phone you. I did try, but your line was busy. There was no answer at his workplace, so Mandy tried his home number. EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS A gang of youths threw stones and missiles at officers who were trying to break up the display. Another over-eager cat has discovered one of the basic truths of garden life: never try to kill a toad. Baseball, though, is a bad place to try to find stability. He tried to phone for help. He tried to read some deeper personal message into it. I think we stayed for about a week just trying to get more and more of a body count. If his Mummy tried to come, she was sent away. Thesaurus THESAURUS► try to take action in order to do something that you may not be able to do: · I tried to explain what was wrong.· He tries hard in class, but he’s finding the work difficult. ► attempt to try to do something, especially something difficult. Attempt is more formal than try and is used especially in written English: · Any prisoner who attempts to escape will be shot.· He was attempting to climb one of the world’s highest mountains. ► do your best to try as hard as you can to do something: · We will do our best to help them. ► make an effort to do something to try to do something, when you find this difficult: · It is worth making an effort to master these skills.· She made a big effort to be nice to him. ► struggle to try very hard to do something that is very difficult, especially for a long time: · She’s still struggling to give up smoking.· Many of these families are struggling to survive. ► strive formal to try very hard to achieve something: · The company must constantly strive for greater efficiency. ► endeavour British English, endeavor American English formal to try hard to do something: · Each employee shall endeavour to provide customers with the best service possible. ► have a go/try informal to try to do something, especially when you are not sure that you will succeed: · I’m not very good at fixing taps, but I’ll have a go.· Do you want to have another try? ► see if you can do something spoken to try to do something – used when offering to do something, or suggesting that someone should do something: · I’ll see if I can get you a ticket.· See if you can persuade her to come. Longman Language Activatorto try to do something► try · Sorry I didn't phone you. I did try, but your line was busy.· I tried all the keys, but none of them would open the door.try to do something · I tried to get another job but I had no luck.· Try to relax and empty your mind.· He tried to walk past me down the stairs, but I stopped him.try hard (=try using a lot of effort) · I was trying hard to concentrate, but my mind kept wandering.try doing something · You could try parking by the library - there's usually room in the car park there.try and do something · I'll tell some jokes to try and cheer him up. ► attempt to try to do something, especially something that is difficult, dangerous, or new: · No one has attempted this experiment before.· A rescue was attempted by Coast Guards, but it was not successful.attempt to do something: · Any prisoner who attempts to escape will be shot.· Someone had attempted to open the car door.· They are attempting to become the first to climb Everest without oxygen tanks. ► have a try also have a go especially British spoken to try to do something, especially when you think you may not succeed: · I can't get the lid off this jar. Do you want to have a try?· Have a go - you might be able to get the answer.have a try/go at doing something: · We had a go at trying to coax the cat indoors using scraps of food. ► see if you can do something spoken to try to do something - use this either to offer to do something for someone, or to ask someone to do something for you: · If you want to come to the show, I'll see if I can get you a ticket.· See if you can get him to change his mind. ► make an attempt to try on one occasion to do something, especially something difficult, dangerous, or new: make an attempt to do something: · I made an attempt to apologize, but Brian wouldn't even talk to me.· Several attempts were made to negotiate with the gunmen.make no attempt to do something: · The protesters made no attempt to resist arrest. ► endeavour to do something British /endeavor to do something American formal to try to do something: · We always endeavour to provide our customers with the highest standards of service.· I remained for some time endeavouring to engage Mr Campbell in conversation. ► seek to do something formal to try to achieve something, especially something that may take a long time but which you think is important: · The Smiths are now seeking to take their case to the European Court.· For over two decades the USA sought to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia.· Our economic policies seek to increase productivity, expand markets and create jobs. ► struggle to do something to try to do something that is difficult: · There are too many families struggling to survive on low incomes.· I found my father struggling to lift one end of an enormous chest of drawers.· She struggled to express her feelings. to try very hard to do something► try hard to make a lot of effort, because you want very much to do something: · No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get the window to open.try hard to do something: · I was trying hard not to laugh.· You must try harder to get your homework done on time. ► make an effort to try hard to do something, especially something you do not want to do but you think you should do: · Can't you make more of an effort?make an effort to do something: · I made an effort to sound interested in what he was saying.· I wish you'd make an effort to get on with my friends.make no effort to do something: · She makes absolutely no effort to see the other person's point of view. ► strive formal to try hard to achieve something, especially when this is difficult: strive to do something: · Toni has been striving to achieve musical recognition for the past ten years.strive for: · The company must constantly strive for greater efficiency. ► be at pains to do something to make a lot of effort to do something, especially to explain something people do not understand correctly: · Mrs Henessy was at pains to say that she was fighting for a principle, not just for financial compensation. ► go to great lengths to do something to be willing to use any method that is necessary in order to achieve something, even if this involves being dishonest, breaking the law etc: · Health professionals have gone to great lengths to reassure patients that the treatment is safe.· Some firms will go to great lengths, including spying, to obtain information about their competitors. to try as hard as you can► try as hard as you can · Come on, try as hard as you can!· I tried as hard as I could, but I still couldn't get everything into one suitcase.try as hard as you can to do something · She tried as hard as she could to look interested. ► do/try your best to try as hard as you can, even when the situation is difficult and you are not sure if you will succeed: · I don't know if I'll manage to get everything finished by Friday, but I'll certainly do my best.do/try your best to do something: · Harry did his best to sound calm, but it was obvious that he was really annoyed.· She tried her best not to laugh. ► do the best you can to try as hard as you can to do something, even though it is difficult or you do not have enough time, money etc to do it really well: · It's a very tough exam but just do the best you can.· More medical supplies will be arriving next week -- until then, doctors and nurses must do the best they can.do the best you can to do something: · I did the best I could to make him change his mind, but he refused. ► pull out all the stops informal to do everything possible to make an event, celebration, competition etc successful: · They gave me a great leaving party - they really pulled out all the stops.· If we pull out all the stops we should still be able to meet our deadline. ► give something your best shot informal to try to do something as well as you can, even though you do not have all the necessary skills or equipment: · I'm not promising I'll succeed, but I'll give it my best shot. ► do your utmost to try as much as you possibly can, and for as long as possible, to achieve something very difficult: · We have done our utmost. There is no more we could possibly do.do your utmost to do something: · The Secretary of State assured reporters that the Administration was doing its utmost to avoid war. ► do everything/all you can to use every possible method to try to do something: · I'm trying to help -- I'm doing everything I possibly can.· I did everything I could to raise money, including selling my house.· Her mother did all she could to encourage Tracy to study medicine. ► give your all to use all your energy and determination to achieve something that is personally very important to you: · She gave her all in the last race, but it wasn't quite good enough to win. ► as best you can if you do something as best you can , especially something difficult or unpleasant, you try as hard as you can to do it because you cannot change the situation: · I cleaned the car up as best I could, but it still looked a mess.· We'll have to manage as best we can without you. ► to the best of your ability if you do something to the best of your ability , you do it as well as you can, even if you are not sure that you are doing it very well: · I have always done my work to the best of my ability.· All the children competed and performed to the best of their ability. to try to do something even though you might not succeed► have a go · I'm not sure I'll be able to persuade him, but I'll certainly have a go.have a go at · I'll have a go at repairing the roof myself. ► give it a go/a try/a whirl spoken informal to try to do something you have not tried before and do not know if you will be successful at: · I've never done any acting before, but I'll give it a try.· It sounds like a great idea - let's give it a whirl.· You ought to give it a go at least. to try to get a job, position, prize etc► try for to try to get something you want very much, for example a job, a prize, or a chance to study somewhere: · Why don't you try for this job as an Assistant Scientific Officer?· I've decided to try for Harvard University. ► go for to try to get something you want very much, especially something that is difficult to achieve, such as a prize or a high position: · Why don't you go for a music scholarship?· Are you going to go for the senior manager's job? ► try out for American to try to get chosen for a sports team or for a part in a play: · Joan tried out for the school basketball team.· I'm not going to bother trying out for the play - I know I'm not good enough! ► angle for to try to make someone give you something or say something good about you without asking them directly: · He was talking to Helen, angling for an invitation to her next party.· She asked us how she looked, obviously angling for a compliment. ► make a bid for to try to get an important job or a position of power - used mainly in newspapers: · The party now feels the time is right to make a bid for power.make a successful/unsuccessful bid for something: · Mr Meaney made an unsuccessful bid for the presidency two years ago. ► shoot for American informal to try to get an important job or achieve something very difficult: · There are five Democrat candidates shooting for president this year.· Management is shooting for a 40% increase in productivity over six months.· I think you should go for it - shoot for the top! ► struggle for to make a lot of effort over a long period to get something that is very important to you, but that is very difficult to get: · The people are still struggling for liberation from a brutal, oppressive regime.· Many small businesses are struggling for survival in this difficult economic climate.· He struggled for the right words to say. ► go all out to put all your energy and determination into trying to get or win something: go all out for: · The German team will be going all out for a win in next Saturday's game.go all out to do something: · We're going all out to make our sales target this year. ► audition to try to get a part in a play, concert, film etc by performing to a group of people who will judge whether or not you are suitable for it: audition for: · She met her husband when she auditioned for the part of Ophelia in an all-black production of "Hamlet". to try very hard to help someone► bend over backwards to do something to make every possible effort to be helpful or to please someone, even when this causes you difficulty or inconvenience: · I bend over backwards to help him, but I never get any thanks for it.· The school have bent over backwards to accommodate Jan's mobility difficulties. ► go out of your way to do something to make a special effort to help someone, especially someone who needs help and support: · When Annie arrived, Harriman went out of his way to make life pleasant for her.· Jennifer knew what a difficult time I was having, and went out of her way to be friendly. ► take the trouble to do something to make a special effort to do something you think will be useful or helpful: · Take the trouble to learn all of your students' names. They will appreciate it.· My bank manager took the trouble to write a very detailed letter answering my inquiry.· The head of department has been very helpful - he even took the trouble to show me round the premises during his lunch hour. when you try to do something► attempt when you try to do something, especially something you have not tried before: · After four attempts, Mike finally passed his driving test.attempt an attempt to do something: · All my attempts to get the machine working failed miserably.· It was a deliberate attempt to mislead the voters.make an attempt: · The climbers will make another attempt to reach the summit today.in an attempt to do something: · The government has announced that it will fund an extra 10,000 doctors in an attempt to reduce waiting times for operations. ► effort an attempt to do something, especially when this involves a lot of hard work or determination: · Cleaning up polluted rivers will take considerable time and effort.· Faster and faster he pulled on the rope, gasping with the effort.effort to do something: · All his efforts to convince Lucy failed.effort at: · The workers went on strike after efforts at negotiation with management broke down.in an effort to do something: · The company has announced 500 job losses in an effort to cut costs. ► campaign a planned series of activities that are intended to persuade people to do something or to bring social or political change: campaign to do something: · The government's campaign to recruit more black police officers has not been a success.campaign for: · the campaign for prison reformelection campaign (=a campaign to win an election): · All kinds of extravagant promises were made during the election campaign.advertising campaign: · The company has spent over £50 million on its latest advertising campaign.launch/mount a campaign (=start a campaign): · The company has launched an advertising campaign in the hope of attracting new customers. ► drive a planned effort, especially by a company or a government, to achieve a particular kind of improvement within a short time: drive for: · We need a new drive for investment in Britain's inner cities.drive to do something: · The government must continue this drive to find new, cleaner forms of energy.efficiency/economy/modernization etc drive: · As part of the bank's efficiency drive substantial cuts are being made in the workforce. to try something to see if it is good► try to do or use something for a short time in order to find out if it is successful, if you enjoy it, or if it is suitable: · I tried aerobics once, but I didn't really enjoy it.· Have you tried those new barbecue-flavoured crisps?· His mother tried threats, bribery -- everything, but Danny still refused to go to school.· There was no answer at his workplace, so Mandy tried his home number.try doing something: · I think you should try planning your essays in rough before you start writing. ► try out to use a new method, a new product, or that you have learned, in order to find out how good, how successful, or how suitable it is: try out something: · They sell paint in very small cans so you can try out the different colours at home.· Dietmar enjoyed trying out his English on American troops stationed in Berlin.try something out: · It was six months before she had a chance to try her songs out in front of a live audience. ► give something a try to try using or doing something, although you are not sure if it will succeed or if it is suitable or good: · I'm not sure that writing to complain will do much good, but we can give it a try.· Why don't we give that new wine bar a try? ► sample to try an activity to see if you enjoy it and if you would like to do it some more: · The hotel provides an excellent base from which visitors can sample the delights of scuba diving and waterskiing. ► have a go/bash British informal to do something for the first time to see whether you can do it, whether you enjoy it etc: · She's never tried skiing before, but she's willing to have a go.· The competition's open to anyone, so why not have a bash?have a go/bash at doing something: · Most kids get the opportunity to have a bash at writing poetry when they're at school.have a go on something (=try using a machine): · Can I have a go on your computer? ► try your hand at to try an activity that is new to you and that interests you, especially something that you need to learn special skills for: · He first tried his hand at motor racing in 1963, but without much success.try your hand at doing something: · After she lost her job, she thought she'd try her hand at writing a novel. ► experiment with to try something in order to see what it is like or what effect it has: · We're experimenting with a new filing system.· A new wave of rock bands experimented with different rhythms and beats.· A lot of fourteen and fifteen year olds experiment with drugs. ► trial and error the process of trying a lot of different ways of doing something, in order to find out which one works best: by trial and error (=using trial and error): · We found out by trial and error which plants could survive the dry conditions.a process of trial and error: · We learn new skills through a process of trial and error. to behave badly► behave badly to be rude, unhelpful, or unpleasant and not do what you are told to do: · I knew I'd behaved very badly, and I was sorry.· The kids behaved so badly that I was embarrassed. ► badly behaved someone who is badly behaved behaves badly - use this especially about children: · The hotel was full of badly behaved celebrities. ► misbehave if children misbehave , they deliberately behave badly by being noisy, rude etc: · Kids often misbehave when they are bored or tired.· We never dared to misbehave in Miss Dill's classes. ► get into trouble if someone gets into trouble , they do something that is illegal or against the rules, especially something not very serious, and get caught doing it: · Tony is always getting into trouble at school.· Don't copy my work or we'll both get into trouble.get into trouble with: · He first got into trouble with the police at the age of 15. ► be up to no good if someone is up to no good , they are secretly doing something that they should not do - use this especially when you think someone may be doing something bad, but you are not completely sure: · She knew that her brother was up to no good but she didn't tell anyone. ► act up also play up British informal to behave badly by being very active and noisy - use this especially about children: · During his parents' divorce, Robert began acting up in class.· The kids have been playing up all afternoon. They're driving me mad. ► mess around also muck about British informal to behave in a silly way when you should be working or paying attention: · Stop messing around and pay attention!· They just mucked about all afternoon and went home early.mess around with: · Paul blew off his fingers messing around with homemade rockets. ► try it on British informal to behave badly in order to find out how bad you can be before someone gets angry with you or punishes you: · For your first few days' teaching, the kids will probably try it on just to see how you react.· At home she's allowed to tell everyone what to do, but she wouldn't dare try it on at work. ► step out of line to behave badly by breaking rules or disobeying orders, especially in a situation where everyone is expected to be very obedient: · The prisoners were warned that if they stepped out of line they would be severely punished.· The boss is very tough on anyone who steps out of line. to put on clothes► put on to put on a piece of clothing: put something on: · Put your coat on if you're going out.put on something: · She put on her bathrobe and went downstairs. ► get dressed to put on the clothes that you usually wear during the day or to go out in clothes: · I got dressed quickly and ran outside.· Sandra's in the bedroom getting dressed. ► try on to put on a piece of clothing, to see if it fits you and if it looks nice on you: try something on: · If you like the shoes, why don't you try them on?try on something: · I tried on a beautiful coat, but it was too big. ► slip on to put a piece of clothing on quickly and easily: slip something/it/them on: · I took out my old cardigan and slipped it on.· The girls got out their party dresses, giggling as they slipped them on.slip on something: · She slipped on a pair of white jeans and a black sleeveless top. ► wrap up to put on warm clothing, especially because you are going out in cold weather: wrap up warm: · You ought to wrap up warm -- I think it's going to snow.be wrapped up against the cold: · The kids, wrapped up in layers against the cold, waddled out to play. ► dress up to wear clothes that you do not normally wear so that you look like someone else for fun: · Most kids love dressing up.dress up in: · They were dressed up in old sheets, pretending to be ghosts.dress up as: · One of the students dressed up as a rabbit and marched around campus carrying a sign.dress yourself up: · I came in to find that my daughter had dressed herself up in my clothes. to open a door, window, box etc► open · It's very hot in here. Do you mind if I open the window?· The drawer's locked - you need a key to open it.open something wide · He opened the door wide, and gestured for me to come in. ► unlock to turn the a key in the lock on a door, drawer, cupboard etc so that you can open it: · Unlock the door! We can't get out!· Which of these keys unlocks the safe?· "Come and see", Jo said, unlocking a huge iron gate. ► force open to open a drawer, window, cupboard etc by using force, often with a tool: force something/it open: · The door's stuck - we'll have to force it open.force open something: · The burglars had forced open the window with an iron bar.· It looked as though the shed had been forced open. ► break open to open a container by using force, so that it is damaged: break open something: · We managed to break open the crate with an axe.break something/it/them open: · There's no key for the suitcase - we'll have to break it open.· Gulls carry shellfish into the air, then drop them onto hard surfaces to break them open. ► prise open British /pry open American to open something by forcing one part of it away from the other part, using a tool: prise something/it/them open: · All the flats were boarded up, but we managed to prise a few boards open.prise open something: · Laura leaned forward to pry open the crate.prise the lid off (=remove the lid to open it): · I picked up the coffee tin and, using a knife, prised the lid off. ► try to try to open a door or window in order to see if it is locked: · I knocked, then tried the door. It was open, but the room was empty.· I went around the back to try the windows, but they were all locked. ► break down to completely break a locked door in order to get into a room or building: break down something: · Firemen had to break the door down.break something/it down: · Open the door now or we'll break it down! ► wind down/roll down British to open a car window, especially by turning a handle: wind/roll down something: · The driver wound down his window and asked us the way to the stadium.wind/roll something down: · Mom, will you roll your window down a little please? ► open up spoken use this to tell someone to open a door: · Open up - it's the police! to find out what something tastes like► taste to eat or drink something in order to find out what it tastes like: · You should taste my Dad's fried chicken, it's delicious.· "Go on then, taste it," said my grandfather, pouring a little of his home-made wine into my glass. ► have a taste to eat or drink a small amount of something, to find out what it tastes like -- use this especially about something that someone has just cooked, made, or picked: · That cheese looks good. Can I have a taste?have a taste of: · I know Clare is a good cook. I had a taste of her pumpkin pie. ► try to eat or drink something in order to find out if you like it: · "Do you like goat's milk?" "I don't know, I've never tried it."· Have you tried Alison's carrot cake? to telephone someone again► call back also ring back British to telephone someone again, for example because they were not available when you telephoned them before: · "Would you like to leave a message?" "No, that's okay. I'll call back later."· I'm afraid Mr Jones is in a meeting. Could you ring back in about an hour?call somebody back: · "Does Jake want me to call him back?" "No, he said to meet him at eight o'clock." ► return a call/phone call/telephone call to telephone someone because they telephoned you before when you were not available - use this especially in business contexts: · Gage did not return phone calls from reporters to his office Monday.· Dr Shapiro is busy right now, but I'll ask him to return your call when he's free. ► try again to telephone a number again because someone was already speaking on that line when you telephoned before: · I've already phoned him twice, but I suppose I'd better try again.try somebody/a number again: · It's engaged. I'll try her again later. to do a test on something in order to check it or find out about it► do a test/an experiment also conduct/perform an experiment/a test formal · He has a blood test done each week to see how effective the medication is.· Children can use the magnet to perform many simple experiments.· The company did not conduct adequate safety tests.do a test/an experiment on · The space shuttle crew conducted experiments on plants and cells in a special lab. ► test to do a test on something to find out whether it works or to get more information about it: · Test your brakes to check they are working correctly.· The devices were tested very carefully and are considered safe.test something on somebody/something: · These products have not been tested on animals.test something for something (=to find out whether it has a substance in it): · The water is being tested for signs of chemical pollution. ► run a test to do a test, especially one that is often used, or one that has been prepared and is ready to be done: · Doctors ran tests to determine the cause of his irregular heartbeat.· We think the equipment is working fine, but we still need to run a few more tests. ► carry out tests if someone such as a doctor or scientist carries out tests , they do a set of tests in order to find out what is wrong, what needs improving etc: · Police scientists are carrying out tests on the murder victim's clothes.· Results of tests carried out at this clinic are always strictly confidential. ► try out to test an object such as a tool or piece of equipment by using it, or to test a plan or idea by doing it: try something out: · Toy manufacturers use employees' children to try new products out.try out something: · He visited the center several times, trying out different computer software packages. ► put something to the test to test something, such as an idea, a belief, or a product, to see if it works as well as someone says it does or as you think it will: · The system's effectiveness will soon be put to the test.· The soldiers worked out a strategy which was then put to the test in a training exercise. ► pilot to test a new system or product using different groups of people in order to see how effective or popular it is: · The coursebook was piloted in schools all over Europe. to do something too much► try/think/push etc too hard to do something with too much effort, so that you do not get the result you want: · You're hitting the ball too hard.· I think you've been working too hard - you need a rest· Many parents try too hard to engineer a safe environment for their child, with disastrous results. ► overdo it especially spoken to do or say something too much, especially to do too much work or exercise: · You need more exercise, but be careful not to overdo it.· The tour guide managed to be funny and informative, without overdoing it. ► overreact to get too angry or too worried when something happens which is not in fact very serious: · Don't you think you're overreacting a little? I'm only ten minutes late.overreact to: · I think people have overreacted to the advertisement - we didn't intend of offend anyone. ► go too far/take something too far to do something so much or to such a great degree that you offend, upset, or annoy people, especially because you do not know when it is reasonable to stop: · Officials were worried that the Chairman's criticisms had gone too far.· John had taken the joke too far and now Betty was crying.go too far/take sth too far in doing something: · We all agree there have to be some controls, but the government has gone too far in ordering all immigration to be stopped. ► go to extremes to do something so much, state something so strongly etc, that people consider your actions unacceptable and unreasonable: · Hunt went to such extremes to get his promotion that everyone at the office hates him now.· You don't have to go to extremes to become healthier - a little exercise and slight changes to your diet can work wonders. ► to excess if you do something to excess , you do it so much that it is wrong or harmful: · The government enthusiastically supports US foreign policy, sometimes to excess.· He drank to excess, occasionally causing scenes in front of CIA officials. ► over the top something you say or do that is over the top is extreme, so that it is either very funny and entertaining, or very annoying or offensive: · Some of his remarks about women were really over the top.· The show was supposed to be a kind of over-the-top satire - it wasn't supposed to be taken seriously.go over the top: · The movie's drawn-out finale goes over the top in its attempt to keep the audience in suspense. ► overload to give someone too much work to do or try to make a system handle too much work: · We can't take money from a school system that is already overloaded.· They overloaded the computer system, and the whole thing just stopped.· Projects should stretch people and make them work hard, but not overload them. ► overindulge/overindulge yourself use this humorously when you have eaten too much rich food or drunk too much alcohol: · Schneider told quite a funny story about how he had overindulged one night.· What's the point of a vacation, after all, if not to overindulge yourself? ► flog something to death British informal to talk too much about a subject or repeat a joke or story too often, so that no one is interested in it any more: · It was a good story a month ago, but the newspapers have really flogged it to death. Collocations COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadverbs► hard · She was trying hard not to show her impatience. ► desperately · They try desperately to please other people. ► unsuccessfully/in vain · He has tried unsuccessfully to quit smoking. ► try your best/hardest (=make as much effort as possible)· Try your best to block out other distractions. COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES► try an approach · Some scientists have been trying an alternative approach. ► hear/try a case (=listen to the evidence before making a judgment)· The case will be heard by a federal judge. ► tried desperately  The doctors tried desperately to save her life. ► try/attempt to escape · Some prisoners tried to escape, but most were recaptured or shot. ► tried her hardest  She tried her hardest to ignore what he’d said. ► who were ... trying to kid  We thought we could change the world. Just who were we trying to kid? ► try not to laugh (=to not laugh, even though something is funny, because it would not be polite)· ‘Are you all right?’ Amy said, trying not to laugh. ► try/test/tax somebody's patience (=make it difficult for someone to continue to be patient)· The guy at the desk was beginning to try my patience. ► try/manage/fail to persuade somebody  I’m trying to persuade your dad to buy some shares. ► won’t be for want of trying  Well, if he doesn’t get the job it won’t be for want of trying! COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB► again · Some of those who fail may enrol in a cram school for a year and try again.· There was no answer to his knock, so he tried again.· Please try again with a valid value.· Wilson will try again this legislative session, Spidell said.· Being somewhat surprised by this, I tried again, using the 550C Windows driver, but with the DeskJet Portable connected.· We waited in terrible patience, and he tried again.· Something of the sort is being tried again at Waco.· Then Thornton went back home to Arkansas, but eventually came back to try again. ► desperately · She was trying desperately to regain her composure.· Some plantation families tried desperately to maintain their traditional lifestyle by pretending they still had slaves.· He was trying desperately to keep memories at bay.· Some expend tremendous energy desperately trying to stop the clock.· The Lieutenant was desperately trying to stay in his saddle.· About eight months later she desperately tried to get him back in.· He is unfailingly polite and tries desperately to understand other people's views. ► hard · Naseby tried hard to read over his shoulder.· Robert and Barbara Walter are trying hard not to be overcome by Derby fever.· The Bishop tried hard to express his grateful thanks.· At halftime, Oregon is up by twelve points, and Jody is trying hard not to let her emotions show.· She felt bubbly with fun, and had to try hard not to let it show too much.· But now I was trying hard, and I could see how limited I was.· Stuart tried hard to reach but the shelf was just too high.· He begins to fantasize that if he tried hard he could shrink to a tiny size and crawl inside the set. Phrases PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► try your hand at something Diane has always wanted to try her hand at acting. But he decided to try his hand at writing books and was enormously successful. Guinness tried his hand at the new Porter with rather more success than his fellow Dublin brewers. If you have the urge to try your hand at a grant, do so! Isaac Mizrahi tried his hand at the corset, and in the process turned out some fabulous evening dresses. It's time to try my hand at the settled life. Many who are in the process of acquiring these technical skills may wish to try their hand at grantsmanship. Plenty of Christians have tried their hand at putting their beliefs into prose or poetry, usually with calamitous aesthetic results. Sons wanted to try its hand at selling iced tea. ► try your luck Stern says he is tempted to try his luck as a candidate for mayor. But the next time Berger tried his luck, it produced a spectacular dividend. Fruity Fred the bull terrier took a fancy to the leggy lovely and thought he'd try his luck. He squatted down with a stick to try his luck. Ibn Battuta was always one to try his luck. Riker and I were chosen to try our luck again. So why not try your luck? Without a pub to be seen for miles we decided to try our luck in the bar of the hilton. You can try your luck in Scheffau, and even compete for a bronze, silver or gold medal. ► try it on (with somebody) As the older daughter in a family of nine children, she had tried it on her younger brothers without much success. I tried it on two teen-agers at a gas station. I hired one and went to try it on a mountain. No, he felt as old Sillerton Jackson felt; he did not think the Mingotts would have tried it on! Nobody could have blamed him for trying it on, could they? See my house - try it on for size, as it were? The man hadn't been stopped before and I wasn't about to try it on. When she married she had tried it on my father with no success at all. ► try somebody’s patiencePHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► do/try your damnedest We both tried our damnedest but it didn't work. All right, tell the girls, do your damnedest. But both the Trust and those of us lucky enough to live there will do our damnedest to prevent it. He had tried to make it work, tried his damnedest, but she had absolutely no sense of taste or refinement. If I do as you suggest and tell Billy about us, he will do his damnedest to destroy me in revenge. ► give something a try/shot/whirl Are you having trouble fixing the printer? Let me give it a shot. But on this case, I can not give it a try - that is the point. He says he thought he'd give it a try, but he got stuck. Joe gives her the shot twice a week. Magnus grew fat on brown wholemeal scraps and Gina gave up trying to keep him away. She had given up trying to read to him, play with him, teach him anything: he could not learn. Vladimir finally gave up trying to teach me and returned to his sketching. We wanted into the book badly, and gave it a shot one afternoon. ► try your hand at (doing) something A visit to West Dorset also offers a perfect opportunity to try your hand at windsurfing. If you have the urge to try your hand at a grant, do so! Isaac Mizrahi tried his hand at the corset, and in the process turned out some fabulous evening dresses. It's time to try my hand at the settled life. Just like Walsh, too, Robinson first tried his hand at broadcasting. Many who are in the process of acquiring these technical skills may wish to try their hand at grantsmanship. More than once, more than a dozen times I have been tempted to try my hand at another profession. Plenty of Christians have tried their hand at putting their beliefs into prose or poetry, usually with calamitous aesthetic results. ► try/chance your luck Akinbiyi was next up to try his luck after 25 minutes, following a great break from the left touchline. And if Mr. Birt does find himself out of a job, he could always try his luck as a timeshare salesman. But the next time Berger tried his luck, it produced a spectacular dividend. He squatted down with a stick to try his luck. Moments later Pauleta tried his luck with a fizzing 30-yarder, but Shay Given got a hand to it. Well, I strongly recommend that you try your luck on any wide verges close to towns. Why not try your luck and help others at the same time? Without a pub to be seen for miles we decided to try our luck in the bar of the hilton. ► full/top marks for effort/trying/persistence etc You had to give Anthony top marks for persistence, she thought to herself. You had to give the woman full marks for persistence. ► nice try It was a nice try, a necessary try, but one that ultimately failed. You miscalculated, but it was a nice try. ► what is somebody trying to prove?► (do/try) the ... thing Rick's doing the starving artist thing right now. ► use/try every trick in the book I tried every trick in the book to reform him. Victoria used every trick in the book to undermine Patsy in order to get the new job colleagues knew Patsy had earned. Word family WORD FAMILYadjectivetryinguntriednountryverbtry 1attempt [intransitive, transitive] to take action in order to do something that you may not be able to do:  Let’s have a rest and then we’ll try again.try to do something He tried to control his voice. She was trying not to cry.try and do something Try and take some form of daily exercise.try hard/desperately (to do something) (=make a lot of effort to do something) She dabbed at her face and tried hard not to sniff. I tried everything to lose weight with no success.try your best/hardest (to do something) (=make as much effort as possible to do something) I tried my best to comfort her. I tried and tried (=kept making an effort) and eventually I was offered a job. Try as he might (=as hard as he could), he could not get the incident out of his mind.it wasn’t for lack/want of trying (=used to say that if someone does not achieve something it is not because they have not tried) They didn’t get any goals, but it wasn’t for lack of trying.you couldn’t do something if you tried (=used to say that someone does not have the skill or ability to do something) She couldn’t speak French if she tried.2test/use [transitive] to do or use something for a short while to discover if it is suitable, successful, enjoyable etc:  It works really well – you should try it.try doing something They decided they would try living in America for a while. Try logging off and logging on again.try something new/different (=do or use something that is different from what you usually do or use) If I’m going out for a meal, I prefer to try something different.try something on somebody/something We tried the machine on hardwood and soft wood.try somebody on something Petra’s trying the baby on solid foods.try something for size (=put on a piece of clothing or test something to find out if it is the correct size or suitable) Always try a sleeping bag for size before you buy it.3food/drink [transitive] to taste food or drink to find out if you like it SYN  taste:  Would you like to try some crisps?4try to find somebody/something [intransitive, transitive] to go to a place or person, or call them, in order to find something or someone:  Sorry, he’s not in. Would you like to try again later? Let’s try Mouncy Street. He could be there.5door/window [transitive] to attempt to open a door, window etc in order to see if it is locked:  She tried the door and it opened. He tried the handle but the door was locked.6law [transitive] to examine and judge a legal case, or someone who is thought to be guilty of a crime in a court → trialbe tried for something He was tried for attempting to murder his wife. The defence argued that a regional court was not competent to try their case.GRAMMAR Try is often passive in this meaning.7try somebody’s patience to make someone feel impatient → trying:  The programs take too long to load and try the patience of young pupils.8try your hand at something to try a new activity in order to see whether it interests you or whether you are good at it:  I tried my hand at water-skiing for the first time.9try your luck to try to achieve something or get something you want, usually by taking a risk:  After the war my father went to Canada to try his luck at farming.10 try it on (with somebody) British English spoken a)to behave badly in order to find out how bad you can be before people become angry:  She is naughty, that one. She tries it on with me sometimes! b)to attempt to start a sexual relationship with someone:  When I came back in, one of the men was trying it on with my wife!GRAMMAR: Comparisontry to do something• If you try to do something, you attempt to do it: · We must try to prevent this from happening again.try doing something• If you try doing something, you do it in order to find out if it is enjoyable or produces the result you want: · I’ve never tried bungee jumping.· Try using margarine instead of butter.Grammar guide ‒ VERBSCOLLOCATIONSadverbshard· She was trying hard not to show her impatience.desperately· They try desperately to please other people.unsuccessfully/in vain· He has tried unsuccessfully to quit smoking.try your best/hardest (=make as much effort as possible)· Try your best to block out other distractions.THESAURUStry to take action in order to do something that you may not be able to do: · I tried to explain what was wrong.· He tries hard in class, but he’s finding the work difficult.attempt to try to do something, especially something difficult. Attempt is more formal than try and is used especially in written English: · Any prisoner who attempts to escape will be shot.· He was attempting to climb one of the world’s highest mountains.do your best to try as hard as you can to do something: · We will do our best to help them.make an effort to do something to try to do something, when you find this difficult: · It is worth making an effort to master these skills.· She made a big effort to be nice to him.struggle to try very hard to do something that is very difficult, especially for a long time: · She’s still struggling to give up smoking.· Many of these families are struggling to survive.strive formal to try very hard to achieve something: · The company must constantly strive for greater efficiency.endeavour British English, endeavor American English /ɪnˈdevə $ -ər/ formal to try hard to do something: · Each employee shall endeavour to provide customers with the best service possible.have a go/try informal to try to do something, especially when you are not sure that you will succeed: · I’m not very good at fixing taps, but I’ll have a go.· Do you want to have another try?see if you can do something spoken to try to do something – used when offering to do something, or suggesting that someone should do something: · I’ll see if I can get you a ticket.· See if you can persuade her to come.try for something phrasal verb British English to try and get something you really want, such as a job, a prize, or a chance to study somewhere:  I decided I must try for some paid work. We have been trying for a baby (=trying to have a baby) for nine years.try something ↔ on phrasal verb to put on a piece of clothing to see if it fits you or if it suits you, especially in a shop:  Meg was trying on some red sandals.try something ↔ out phrasal verb1to test something such as a method or a piece of equipment to see if it is effective or works properly → try-out:  I’m trying out a new computer.2to practise a skill in order to improve ittry out on She enjoyed trying her French out on Jean-Pierre.try out for something phrasal verb American English to try to be chosen as a member of a team, for a part in a play etc SYN  audition for → tryout:  In high school, I tried out for all the female leads. try1 verbtry2 noun trytry2 ●●● S3 noun (plural tries) [countable] Examples EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES After several tries, Lou finally reached Sylvia at her office phone number. Don't give up yet - have another try. EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS Beattie put them ahead after two minutes with an opportunist try but Dungait replied for Morpeth. But it is worth a try. Centre John Devereux converted, with giant prop Mark Jones then brushing aside two tackles to crash over for the second try. Certainly it was worth a try. Full-back Liley strode into the left-hand corner for a splendid try and there was still a man to spare. If your insomnia is similar to the following examples, you might want to give bright-light therapy a try. With White converting all the tries, Alton ran out comfortable winners after a terrible start. Thesaurus Longman Language Activatorto try to do something► try · Sorry I didn't phone you. I did try, but your line was busy.· I tried all the keys, but none of them would open the door.try to do something · I tried to get another job but I had no luck.· Try to relax and empty your mind.· He tried to walk past me down the stairs, but I stopped him.try hard (=try using a lot of effort) · I was trying hard to concentrate, but my mind kept wandering.try doing something · You could try parking by the library - there's usually room in the car park there.try and do something · I'll tell some jokes to try and cheer him up. ► attempt to try to do something, especially something that is difficult, dangerous, or new: · No one has attempted this experiment before.· A rescue was attempted by Coast Guards, but it was not successful.attempt to do something: · Any prisoner who attempts to escape will be shot.· Someone had attempted to open the car door.· They are attempting to become the first to climb Everest without oxygen tanks. ► have a try also have a go especially British spoken to try to do something, especially when you think you may not succeed: · I can't get the lid off this jar. Do you want to have a try?· Have a go - you might be able to get the answer.have a try/go at doing something: · We had a go at trying to coax the cat indoors using scraps of food. ► see if you can do something spoken to try to do something - use this either to offer to do something for someone, or to ask someone to do something for you: · If you want to come to the show, I'll see if I can get you a ticket.· See if you can get him to change his mind. ► make an attempt to try on one occasion to do something, especially something difficult, dangerous, or new: make an attempt to do something: · I made an attempt to apologize, but Brian wouldn't even talk to me.· Several attempts were made to negotiate with the gunmen.make no attempt to do something: · The protesters made no attempt to resist arrest. ► endeavour to do something British /endeavor to do something American formal to try to do something: · We always endeavour to provide our customers with the highest standards of service.· I remained for some time endeavouring to engage Mr Campbell in conversation. ► seek to do something formal to try to achieve something, especially something that may take a long time but which you think is important: · The Smiths are now seeking to take their case to the European Court.· For over two decades the USA sought to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia.· Our economic policies seek to increase productivity, expand markets and create jobs. ► struggle to do something to try to do something that is difficult: · There are too many families struggling to survive on low incomes.· I found my father struggling to lift one end of an enormous chest of drawers.· She struggled to express her feelings. to try very hard to do something► try hard to make a lot of effort, because you want very much to do something: · No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get the window to open.try hard to do something: · I was trying hard not to laugh.· You must try harder to get your homework done on time. ► make an effort to try hard to do something, especially something you do not want to do but you think you should do: · Can't you make more of an effort?make an effort to do something: · I made an effort to sound interested in what he was saying.· I wish you'd make an effort to get on with my friends.make no effort to do something: · She makes absolutely no effort to see the other person's point of view. ► strive formal to try hard to achieve something, especially when this is difficult: strive to do something: · Toni has been striving to achieve musical recognition for the past ten years.strive for: · The company must constantly strive for greater efficiency. ► be at pains to do something to make a lot of effort to do something, especially to explain something people do not understand correctly: · Mrs Henessy was at pains to say that she was fighting for a principle, not just for financial compensation. ► go to great lengths to do something to be willing to use any method that is necessary in order to achieve something, even if this involves being dishonest, breaking the law etc: · Health professionals have gone to great lengths to reassure patients that the treatment is safe.· Some firms will go to great lengths, including spying, to obtain information about their competitors. to try as hard as you can► try as hard as you can · Come on, try as hard as you can!· I tried as hard as I could, but I still couldn't get everything into one suitcase.try as hard as you can to do something · She tried as hard as she could to look interested. ► do/try your best to try as hard as you can, even when the situation is difficult and you are not sure if you will succeed: · I don't know if I'll manage to get everything finished by Friday, but I'll certainly do my best.do/try your best to do something: · Harry did his best to sound calm, but it was obvious that he was really annoyed.· She tried her best not to laugh. ► do the best you can to try as hard as you can to do something, even though it is difficult or you do not have enough time, money etc to do it really well: · It's a very tough exam but just do the best you can.· More medical supplies will be arriving next week -- until then, doctors and nurses must do the best they can.do the best you can to do something: · I did the best I could to make him change his mind, but he refused. ► pull out all the stops informal to do everything possible to make an event, celebration, competition etc successful: · They gave me a great leaving party - they really pulled out all the stops.· If we pull out all the stops we should still be able to meet our deadline. ► give something your best shot informal to try to do something as well as you can, even though you do not have all the necessary skills or equipment: · I'm not promising I'll succeed, but I'll give it my best shot. ► do your utmost to try as much as you possibly can, and for as long as possible, to achieve something very difficult: · We have done our utmost. There is no more we could possibly do.do your utmost to do something: · The Secretary of State assured reporters that the Administration was doing its utmost to avoid war. ► do everything/all you can to use every possible method to try to do something: · I'm trying to help -- I'm doing everything I possibly can.· I did everything I could to raise money, including selling my house.· Her mother did all she could to encourage Tracy to study medicine. ► give your all to use all your energy and determination to achieve something that is personally very important to you: · She gave her all in the last race, but it wasn't quite good enough to win. ► as best you can if you do something as best you can , especially something difficult or unpleasant, you try as hard as you can to do it because you cannot change the situation: · I cleaned the car up as best I could, but it still looked a mess.· We'll have to manage as best we can without you. ► to the best of your ability if you do something to the best of your ability , you do it as well as you can, even if you are not sure that you are doing it very well: · I have always done my work to the best of my ability.· All the children competed and performed to the best of their ability. to try to do something even though you might not succeed► have a go · I'm not sure I'll be able to persuade him, but I'll certainly have a go.have a go at · I'll have a go at repairing the roof myself. ► give it a go/a try/a whirl spoken informal to try to do something you have not tried before and do not know if you will be successful at: · I've never done any acting before, but I'll give it a try.· It sounds like a great idea - let's give it a whirl.· You ought to give it a go at least. to try to get a job, position, prize etc► try for to try to get something you want very much, for example a job, a prize, or a chance to study somewhere: · Why don't you try for this job as an Assistant Scientific Officer?· I've decided to try for Harvard University. ► go for to try to get something you want very much, especially something that is difficult to achieve, such as a prize or a high position: · Why don't you go for a music scholarship?· Are you going to go for the senior manager's job? ► try out for American to try to get chosen for a sports team or for a part in a play: · Joan tried out for the school basketball team.· I'm not going to bother trying out for the play - I know I'm not good enough! ► angle for to try to make someone give you something or say something good about you without asking them directly: · He was talking to Helen, angling for an invitation to her next party.· She asked us how she looked, obviously angling for a compliment. ► make a bid for to try to get an important job or a position of power - used mainly in newspapers: · The party now feels the time is right to make a bid for power.make a successful/unsuccessful bid for something: · Mr Meaney made an unsuccessful bid for the presidency two years ago. ► shoot for American informal to try to get an important job or achieve something very difficult: · There are five Democrat candidates shooting for president this year.· Management is shooting for a 40% increase in productivity over six months.· I think you should go for it - shoot for the top! ► struggle for to make a lot of effort over a long period to get something that is very important to you, but that is very difficult to get: · The people are still struggling for liberation from a brutal, oppressive regime.· Many small businesses are struggling for survival in this difficult economic climate.· He struggled for the right words to say. ► go all out to put all your energy and determination into trying to get or win something: go all out for: · The German team will be going all out for a win in next Saturday's game.go all out to do something: · We're going all out to make our sales target this year. ► audition to try to get a part in a play, concert, film etc by performing to a group of people who will judge whether or not you are suitable for it: audition for: · She met her husband when she auditioned for the part of Ophelia in an all-black production of "Hamlet". to try very hard to help someone► bend over backwards to do something to make every possible effort to be helpful or to please someone, even when this causes you difficulty or inconvenience: · I bend over backwards to help him, but I never get any thanks for it.· The school have bent over backwards to accommodate Jan's mobility difficulties. ► go out of your way to do something to make a special effort to help someone, especially someone who needs help and support: · When Annie arrived, Harriman went out of his way to make life pleasant for her.· Jennifer knew what a difficult time I was having, and went out of her way to be friendly. ► take the trouble to do something to make a special effort to do something you think will be useful or helpful: · Take the trouble to learn all of your students' names. They will appreciate it.· My bank manager took the trouble to write a very detailed letter answering my inquiry.· The head of department has been very helpful - he even took the trouble to show me round the premises during his lunch hour. when you try to do something► attempt when you try to do something, especially something you have not tried before: · After four attempts, Mike finally passed his driving test.attempt an attempt to do something: · All my attempts to get the machine working failed miserably.· It was a deliberate attempt to mislead the voters.make an attempt: · The climbers will make another attempt to reach the summit today.in an attempt to do something: · The government has announced that it will fund an extra 10,000 doctors in an attempt to reduce waiting times for operations. ► effort an attempt to do something, especially when this involves a lot of hard work or determination: · Cleaning up polluted rivers will take considerable time and effort.· Faster and faster he pulled on the rope, gasping with the effort.effort to do something: · All his efforts to convince Lucy failed.effort at: · The workers went on strike after efforts at negotiation with management broke down.in an effort to do something: · The company has announced 500 job losses in an effort to cut costs. ► campaign a planned series of activities that are intended to persuade people to do something or to bring social or political change: campaign to do something: · The government's campaign to recruit more black police officers has not been a success.campaign for: · the campaign for prison reformelection campaign (=a campaign to win an election): · All kinds of extravagant promises were made during the election campaign.advertising campaign: · The company has spent over £50 million on its latest advertising campaign.launch/mount a campaign (=start a campaign): · The company has launched an advertising campaign in the hope of attracting new customers. ► drive a planned effort, especially by a company or a government, to achieve a particular kind of improvement within a short time: drive for: · We need a new drive for investment in Britain's inner cities.drive to do something: · The government must continue this drive to find new, cleaner forms of energy.efficiency/economy/modernization etc drive: · As part of the bank's efficiency drive substantial cuts are being made in the workforce. to try something to see if it is good► try to do or use something for a short time in order to find out if it is successful, if you enjoy it, or if it is suitable: · I tried aerobics once, but I didn't really enjoy it.· Have you tried those new barbecue-flavoured crisps?· His mother tried threats, bribery -- everything, but Danny still refused to go to school.· There was no answer at his workplace, so Mandy tried his home number.try doing something: · I think you should try planning your essays in rough before you start writing. ► try out to use a new method, a new product, or that you have learned, in order to find out how good, how successful, or how suitable it is: try out something: · They sell paint in very small cans so you can try out the different colours at home.· Dietmar enjoyed trying out his English on American troops stationed in Berlin.try something out: · It was six months before she had a chance to try her songs out in front of a live audience. ► give something a try to try using or doing something, although you are not sure if it will succeed or if it is suitable or good: · I'm not sure that writing to complain will do much good, but we can give it a try.· Why don't we give that new wine bar a try? ► sample to try an activity to see if you enjoy it and if you would like to do it some more: · The hotel provides an excellent base from which visitors can sample the delights of scuba diving and waterskiing. ► have a go/bash British informal to do something for the first time to see whether you can do it, whether you enjoy it etc: · She's never tried skiing before, but she's willing to have a go.· The competition's open to anyone, so why not have a bash?have a go/bash at doing something: · Most kids get the opportunity to have a bash at writing poetry when they're at school.have a go on something (=try using a machine): · Can I have a go on your computer? ► try your hand at to try an activity that is new to you and that interests you, especially something that you need to learn special skills for: · He first tried his hand at motor racing in 1963, but without much success.try your hand at doing something: · After she lost her job, she thought she'd try her hand at writing a novel. ► experiment with to try something in order to see what it is like or what effect it has: · We're experimenting with a new filing system.· A new wave of rock bands experimented with different rhythms and beats.· A lot of fourteen and fifteen year olds experiment with drugs. ► trial and error the process of trying a lot of different ways of doing something, in order to find out which one works best: by trial and error (=using trial and error): · We found out by trial and error which plants could survive the dry conditions.a process of trial and error: · We learn new skills through a process of trial and error. WORD SETS► Other Sports aerobics, nounangler, nounangling, nounaquaplane, verbaquaplane, nounarcher, nounarchery, nounascent, nounathletics, nounbackboard, nounbadminton, nounbag, nounbag, verbbait, nounbait, verbbalance beam, nounballooning, nounbantamweight, nounbarbell, nounbasket, nounbasketball, nounbaton, nounbeam, nounbeat, verbbeater, nounbig game, nounbird dog, nounbirdie, nounbite, nounblack belt, nounblade, nounblind, nounblood sport, nounbobsleigh, nounbody building, nounbowling, nounboxing, nounbull, nounbullfight, nounbullring, nouncaber, nouncalisthenics, nouncallisthenics, nouncartwheel, nouncast, verbcast, nouncaving, nouncentre, nouncheckered flag, nounchin-up, nouncircuit, nounclay pigeon shooting, nounclimb, verbclimb, nounclimber, nounclimbing, nounclose season, nouncock fight, nouncockpit, nounconquer, verbconversion, nouncorner, nouncrew, nouncroquet, nouncross, nouncross-country, nouncurling, noundecathlon, noundecoy, noundirt track, noundiscus, noundogfight, noundrag race, noundumbbell, noundunk, verbeight, numberexercise, nounexercise, verbexercise bike, nounface-off, nounfalconer, nounfalconry, nounfall, nounfeather, verbfeatherweight, nounfeint, verbfence, verbfencer, nounfencing, nounfield event, nounfield goal, nounfield hockey, nounfigure, nounfigure skating, nounflat racing, nounfloat, nounfloor, verbfly, nounflyfishing, nounfly half, nounflyweight, nounfoil, nounfoothold, nounforward, nounforward roll, nounfoxhunting, nounfun run, nounGaelic football, noungaff, noungame, noungliding, noungo-cart, noungo-kart, noungrand master, nounGrand Prix, noungrid, nounground bait, nounguard, noungym, noungymnast, noungymnastics, nounhandball, nounhang-gliding, nounheadlock, nounheadstand, nounhealth club, nounheavyweight, nounhockey, nounhold, nounhoming pigeon, nounhook, nounhook, verbhot dog, verbhound, nounhunt, verbhunt, nounhunter, nounhunting, nounhunting ground, nounhuntress, nounhunt saboteur, nounhuntsman, nounhurdle, nounhurdle, verbhurling, nounice hockey, nounice rink, nounice skate, nounice-skate, verbinside track, nounisometrics, nounjack, nounjavelin, nounjog, verbjog, nounjogger, nounjogging, nounjudo, nounjujitsu, nounkarate, nounkeeper, nounkickboxing, nounknockout, nounknock-up, nounkung fu, nounlacrosse, nounlanding net, nounlawn bowling, nounlawn tennis, nounlay-up, nounleague, nounlight heavyweight, nounlightweight, nounline-out, nounlock, nounlodge, nounlure, nounmarathon, nounmartial art, nounmat, nounmeet, nounmiddle-distance, adjectivemiddleweight, nounmiler, nounmountaineer, nounmountaineering, nounnet, verbninepins, nounnursery slope, nounobstacle course, nounobstacle race, nounone-two, nounopen season, nounorienteering, nounoutpoint, verbpaddle, nounparagliding, nounparallel bars, nounparasailing, nounparascending, nounpentathlon, nounpicador, nounpin, nounPing-Pong, nounpiste, nounpiton, nounpit stop, nounpole position, nounpolo, nounpommel horse, nounpotholing, nounpress-up, nounprizefight, nounpuck, nounpunch-drunk, adjectivepurse, nounpush-up, nounquarry, nounrace, nounrace car, nounracing car, nounracquetball, nounrally, nounrider, nounrink, nounrock climbing, nounrod, nounround, nounrounders, nounrowing, nounruck, nounrugby, nounRugby League, nounRugby Union, nounrugger, nounrun, verbrun, nounrunner, nounrunning, nounsailboard, nounsailing, nounscramble, nounscrum, nounscrumhalf, nounshadow boxing, nounshoot, verbshooting, nounshot put, nounshuttlecock, nounsit-up, nounskate, nounskate, verbskateboard, nounskating, nounskating rink, nounskeet shooting, nounski, nounski, verbski boot, nounskier, nounskiing, nounski jump, nounski lift, nounskin-diving, nounski pole, nounski run, nounskydiving, nounslalom, nounslow-pitch, nounsnare, nounsnare, verbsnooker, nounsnowboard, nounsoftball, nounspeed skating, nounspeedway, nounspeleology, nounspinner, nounsprint, nounsprinter, nounsquash, nounstar jump, nounsteeplechase, nounstep, nounstrike, nounstroke, nounsumo, nounsurf, verbsurfboard, nounsurfing, nountable tennis, nounT'ai Chi, nounT-ball, nountenpin, nountenpin bowling, nounthrow, verbtoehold, nountouchdown, nountouch football, nountouchline, nountrack, nountrack and field, nountrack event, nountrack meet, nountraining, nountrampoline, nountrap, nountrapeze, nountravel, verbtraverse, nountriathlon, nountriple jump, nountry, nountug-of-war, nountumble, verbtumbling, nounvelodrome, nounvolleyball, nounwater polo, nounwater skiing, nounweigh-in, nounweight, nounweightlifting, nounwelterweight, nounwind-surfing, nounwinter sports, nounwrestler, nounwrestling, nounyacht, nounyardarm, noun Collocations COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs► have a try · I decided to have one last try. ► give it a try informal· If your instinct is telling you to give it a try, then go ahead. ► be worth a try (=be worth trying to do because you may succeed)· It’s worth a try – we’ve nothing to lose. adjectives► a good try · ‘Do you really think you can win?’ ‘I’m going to have a darn good try.’ ► a nice try (=a good try that is not successful)· Nice try, Claudia, but not good enough, I’m afraid. ► somebody’s first/second try · This is his first try at directing. COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES► try an approach · Some scientists have been trying an alternative approach. ► hear/try a case (=listen to the evidence before making a judgment)· The case will be heard by a federal judge. ► tried desperately  The doctors tried desperately to save her life. ► try/attempt to escape · Some prisoners tried to escape, but most were recaptured or shot. ► tried her hardest  She tried her hardest to ignore what he’d said. ► who were ... trying to kid  We thought we could change the world. Just who were we trying to kid? ► try not to laugh (=to not laugh, even though something is funny, because it would not be polite)· ‘Are you all right?’ Amy said, trying not to laugh. ► try/test/tax somebody's patience (=make it difficult for someone to continue to be patient)· The guy at the desk was beginning to try my patience. ► try/manage/fail to persuade somebody  I’m trying to persuade your dad to buy some shares. ► won’t be for want of trying  Well, if he doesn’t get the job it won’t be for want of trying! COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE► good · Well, that's a better try, Ferg.· He gave it a good try.· But it's a good try.· It is a good try, but it will not wash.· The hon. Gentleman is having a good try.· So the answer is no. 2 Good try - but you got it the wrong way round! ► late · The South-West's late try came when Clough was sent a hospital pass and Fallon booted the loose ball over the line.· Botha converted, and not even Tony Underwood's marvellous late try could rescue a game which left everyone breathless.· Ally Donaldson kicked two penalty goals for Currie and converted a late try by Dean Mack.· Cardiff attacked gamely in the final quarter and scored a late try through Jeffreys.· Further mistakes by the Lions permitted the hyped-up home team to level at 12-12 and score a late, irrelevant try. ► nice · Sorry, Arnie. Nice try, but we like the pic our snapper took of you much better.· All news to you, huh, Bernie? Nice try.· It was a nice try, a necessary try, but one that ultimately failed.· You miscalculated, but it was a nice try. ► only · The only try came from Sudbury scrum-half Steve Glen.· But the Soviet Union managed to fashion the only try of the game at Hellfire Corner.· New Zealand held the lead for long periods and their frequent advantages depended on the only try of the match.· Ben Crawley got the only try as Saracens beat relegation favourites Rugby 14-6.· But Saracens hit back with 2 penalties and the only try of the game, an up and under. NOUN► penalty · There was also a penalty try.· If we take the Campese knock-on in the World Cup final, I personally would awarded a penalty try.· Under the new law I would still be able to award a penalty try.· When it is a two-on-one situation near the line, then the penalty try will result.· All four of Neath's tries were close-to-the-line affairs, including a penalty try award.· Morrison awarded them a contentious penalty try after Leicester's pack brought down Bath's drive from a lineout.· West led 12-0 at half-time through a penalty try converted by John Stabler, who also kicked two penalties. VERB► award · Under the new law I would still be able to award a penalty try.· New Zealand took only four minutes before making their first strike with flanker Josh Kronfeld being awarded a try. ► convert · He also converted Ian Jones's try off the touchline.· Laing converted this try, and two penalty tries awarded as the Instonians scrum got on top.· Earlier, Craggs had kicked a penalty and then hit the post when attempting to convert Steve Towns' try.· With White converting all the tries, Alton ran out comfortable winners after a terrible start.· Didier Camberabero kicked a penalty and converted a characteristic try by Serge Blanco.· Ally Donaldson kicked two penalty goals for Currie and converted a late try by Dean Mack.· Gregory converted the try and as he had also kicked a penalty goal early in the match Nottingham were on their way. ► give · We decided the deception was the worst part of it and agreed to give honesty a try.· He gave it a good try.· I reckon if I had had a flat and everything I could have given it a try.· If you decide to give massage a try, be careful: Massage can be either sedating or stimulating to the body.· If you live north of Watford, give it a try.· Oh, Scoonie gave other sports a try.· Well yes, I suppose I could give it a try but I don't want to promise anything.· Our family gave it a try on a recent weekend. ► grab · Just before the final whistle, former Leeds player Gary Divorty grabbed a consolation try, converted by stand-off Bishop.· He added two more penalties before Darryl Pitt and Shane Buckley grabbed a try apiece. ► score · As some one once said: he's the sort of player you cheer when he scores a try against your side.· Bath had used a variation of this move to score their first try.· Ballantyne scored a try which cancelled out a strike by Mike Debusk then sent in Keith Johnston for a second.· He scored two tries and converted one of them.· Then the 19-year-old athlete scored a try as Wigan beat a Great Britain select side 37-36.· Then the hungry Ben Cohen popped up on the right to score his seventh try in only nine Tests.· The home side ended the game in style with Martin Morris scoring the final try in injury time. Phrases PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► do/try your damnedest We both tried our damnedest but it didn't work. All right, tell the girls, do your damnedest. But both the Trust and those of us lucky enough to live there will do our damnedest to prevent it. He had tried to make it work, tried his damnedest, but she had absolutely no sense of taste or refinement. If I do as you suggest and tell Billy about us, he will do his damnedest to destroy me in revenge. ► give something a try/shot/whirl Are you having trouble fixing the printer? Let me give it a shot. But on this case, I can not give it a try - that is the point. He says he thought he'd give it a try, but he got stuck. Joe gives her the shot twice a week. Magnus grew fat on brown wholemeal scraps and Gina gave up trying to keep him away. She had given up trying to read to him, play with him, teach him anything: he could not learn. Vladimir finally gave up trying to teach me and returned to his sketching. We wanted into the book badly, and gave it a shot one afternoon. ► try your hand at (doing) something A visit to West Dorset also offers a perfect opportunity to try your hand at windsurfing. If you have the urge to try your hand at a grant, do so! Isaac Mizrahi tried his hand at the corset, and in the process turned out some fabulous evening dresses. It's time to try my hand at the settled life. Just like Walsh, too, Robinson first tried his hand at broadcasting. Many who are in the process of acquiring these technical skills may wish to try their hand at grantsmanship. More than once, more than a dozen times I have been tempted to try my hand at another profession. Plenty of Christians have tried their hand at putting their beliefs into prose or poetry, usually with calamitous aesthetic results. ► try/chance your luck Akinbiyi was next up to try his luck after 25 minutes, following a great break from the left touchline. And if Mr. Birt does find himself out of a job, he could always try his luck as a timeshare salesman. But the next time Berger tried his luck, it produced a spectacular dividend. He squatted down with a stick to try his luck. Moments later Pauleta tried his luck with a fizzing 30-yarder, but Shay Given got a hand to it. Well, I strongly recommend that you try your luck on any wide verges close to towns. Why not try your luck and help others at the same time? Without a pub to be seen for miles we decided to try our luck in the bar of the hilton. ► full/top marks for effort/trying/persistence etc You had to give Anthony top marks for persistence, she thought to herself. You had to give the woman full marks for persistence. ► nice try It was a nice try, a necessary try, but one that ultimately failed. You miscalculated, but it was a nice try. ► what is somebody trying to prove?► (do/try) the ... thing Rick's doing the starving artist thing right now. ► use/try every trick in the book I tried every trick in the book to reform him. Victoria used every trick in the book to undermine Patsy in order to get the new job colleagues knew Patsy had earned. Word family WORD FAMILYadjectivetryinguntriednountryverbtry 1an attempt to do something:  She didn’t manage to break the record, but it was a good try. ‘You really think you can do that?’ ‘I’m going to have a try.’ ‘What are the chances for getting tickets now?’ ‘I guess I could give it a try.’ It might sound a ludicrous excuse but he thought it was worth a try.on the first/second etc try Only half the students passed the test on their first try.2a test of something to see if it is suitable or successful or to find out if you like it:  I decided to give modelling a try. Wines from Apulia’s ancient vineyards are well worth a try.3four points won by putting the ball on the ground behind the opponents’ goal line in rugbyCOLLOCATIONSverbshave a try· I decided to have one last try.give it a try informal· If your instinct is telling you to give it a try, then go ahead.be worth a try (=be worth trying to do because you may succeed)· It’s worth a try – we’ve nothing to lose.adjectivesa good try· ‘Do you really think you can win?’ ‘I’m going to have a darn good try.’a nice try (=a good try that is not successful)· Nice try, Claudia, but not good enough, I’m afraid.somebody’s first/second try· This is his first try at directing.
随便看	irreducibly irrefutable irrefutably irregardless irregular irregularity irregularly irrelevance irrelevant irrelevantly irreligious irremediable irreparable irreparably irreplaceable irrepressible irrepressibly irreproachable irresistible irresistibly irresolute irresolution irrespective irresponsibility irresponsible

英语词典包含52748条英英释义在线翻译词条，基本涵盖了全部常用单词的英英翻译及用法，是英语学习的有利工具。