give it a flutter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "give it a flutter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you suggest trying something out or taking a chance, often related to gambling or making a small investment. Example: "I decided to give it a flutter and placed a bet on the horse race this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

Film

Gambling

Erotica

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Give it a flutter.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

You can leave just the wingtips untaped, or more of the wing to give it a fluttering look.

WikiHow

After closely examining the lash for a moment, he gave it two soft kisses, then cast it free and watched it flutter to the ground.

The New York Times - Magazine

A single-mode analysis shows that coatings with laminar boundary layers suffer a divergence-type instability in contrast to turbulent boundary layers which always give rise to a flutter-type instability with a higher critical velocity.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

The male may also give a fluttering, zigzagging flight display.

Wikipedia

"There are 30 vibration patterns and three motors, to give a gentle butterfly flutter or a big thump," von Abo explains.

The Guardian

Videos of the old route had left my palms sweaty; this new path gives me a slight flutter but more of surprise than fear.

The Guardian - Travel

Why am I trapped in a Groundhog Day where England give me a false, fleeting flutter of hope, then snatch it away again with 70 straight minutes of Dele Alli passing it to no one?

Vice

It's enough to give the most cynical cinephile a flutter of hope. .

Huffington Post

It's enough to give the most cynical cinephile a flutter of hope.

HuffPost

"Bye," she says sweetly, and gives me a little fluttering wave, then blows me a kiss as I drive off.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "give it a flutter" to suggest a lighthearted or speculative attempt, especially in contexts like gambling or exploring new options.

Common error

Avoid using "give it a flutter" in highly formal or professional settings where a more direct and serious tone is required. Opt for phrases like "consider this option" or "attempt this approach" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give it a flutter" functions as an idiomatic expression. It suggests an action of taking a small risk or chance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, especially in contexts related to gambling or exploring new options.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "give it a flutter" is an idiomatic phrase suggesting a lighthearted attempt at something risky or speculative. While grammatically correct and usable according to Ludwig AI, its usage is relatively rare and more appropriate for informal contexts. Alternatives like "take a chance" or "give it a try" might be more suitable for formal situations. The phrase finds occasional use in news media but is most at home in casual conversation when one wants to sound not too serious about the potential for failure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a chance

Focuses on the element of risk and uncertainty involved.

give it a try

Emphasizes the act of attempting something with no guarantee of success.

have a go

Similar to 'give it a try' but more colloquial.

take a stab at it

Implies a less precise attempt, often at something challenging.

try your luck

Highlights the role of fortune in the outcome.

risk it

Directly addresses the potential for loss or negative consequences.

venture forth

Suggests a more deliberate and potentially dangerous undertaking.

roll the dice

Emphasizes the unpredictable nature of the attempt.

test the waters

Implies a cautious approach to gauge the potential outcome.

gamble on it

Specifically refers to taking a financial risk or betting on an outcome.

FAQs

What does "give it a flutter" mean?

The expression "give it a flutter" means to take a small risk or chance, often in the context of gambling or trying something new.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "give it a flutter"?

It's appropriate to use "give it a flutter" in informal settings when discussing taking a lighthearted chance. However, avoid using it in formal or professional contexts.

What can I say instead of "give it a flutter"?

You can use alternatives like "take a chance", "give it a try", or "have a go" depending on the context.

Is "give it a flutter" a common phrase?

The phrase "give it a flutter" is not very common, being classified as rare. You might want to consider more widely used alternatives in some contexts.