ENGLISH
REFERENCE

in an attempt to do sth

idiom
Meaning

you use this when you explain that someone is doing something because they want to achieve a specific goal.


Examples
SIMPLE

He ran fast in an attempt to catch the bus.

CONTEXTUAL

The company lowered its prices in an attempt to attract more customers during the slow season.

COMPLEX

In an attempt to resolve the long-standing dispute, the diplomats met for secret negotiations to find common ground.

Last updated April 22, 2026