try (one's) hand (at something)

try (one's) hand (at something)

To attempt to do something new; to try something for the first time. I need a new hobby. Maybe I'll try my hand at painting! Thanks for letting Janet come to rugby practice with you. I know she's eager to try her hand.See also: hand, try

try one's hand (at something)

to take a try at something. Someday I'd like to try my hand at flying a plane. Give me a chance. Let me try my hand!See also: hand, try

try one's hand

1. Attempt to do something for the first time, as in I thought I'd try my hand at snorkeling. This idiom uses try in the sense of "ascertain by experiment or effort," a usage dating from the late 1500s. 2. Also, try one's luck. Take a chance doing something, as in We thought we'd try our luck at getting a hotel room at the last minute. See also: hand, try

try your hand at something

COMMON If you try your hand at something, you try doing it in order to see whether you are good at it. In his latest book, he tries his hand at fiction. After he left school, he tried his hand at a variety of jobs — bricklayer, baker, coal man.See also: hand, something, try

try your hand

see how skilful you are, especially at the first attempt. 1994 John Barth Once Upon a Time Since such dreaminess appeared to be my nature…why didn't I try my hand at writing fiction? See also: hand, try

try your ˈhand (at something/doing something)

try something for the first time, for example a skill or a sport: I’ve always wanted to try my hand at golf.See also: hand, try

try (one's) hand

To attempt to do something for the first time: I tried my hand at skiing.See also: hand, try