ENGLISH
REFERENCE

take a stab at

idiom
Meaning

To attempt or try.


Examples
SIMPLE

I do not know the answer, but I will take a stab at it.

CONTEXTUAL

The crossword puzzle was difficult, but she decided to take a stab at the final clue before giving up.

COMPLEX

Although he lacked formal training in the field, he felt confident enough to take a stab at solving the complex mathematical problem that had baffled his colleagues for weeks.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    cross to take up

    Alternative form of cross to bear.

  2. 02

    forget to take one's medication this morning

    To be annoyed or irritable, or to behave in an ill-mannered way, particularly in the morning.

  3. 03

    give and take

    A process of compromise or accommodation.

  4. 04

    give someone an inch and someone will take a mile

    Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.

  5. 05

    have a stab

    To make an attempt, a try.

  6. 06

    I take it

    Used to express one's understanding of another's position.

  7. 07

    kick ass and take names

    To beat someone in a competition, fight, or other situation.

  8. 08

    let nature take its course

    To permit events to proceed or a situation to develop without intervention or interference.

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