give it your best shot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "give it your best shot" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It is often used as an expression of encouragement when someone is attempting something difficult. For example, you could say, "You're going for your medical school interview tomorrow - give it your best shot!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

You give it your best shot.

The New York Times - Sports

"I told Giancarlo, 'Give it your best shot.

The New York Times

And then, as his face contorts with rage, he adds, "Give it your best shot".

The New York Times

Rough translation: Give it your best shot, or possibly your last.

The New York Times

No matter the circumstances or adversities, you're going to give it your best shot.

The New York Times - Sports

Algeria have the ball, Malawi sit back and say 'Give it your best shot'.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

The failure is in not giving it your best shot.

The New York Times

If you fail, at least you've given it your best shot.

Independent

"If you present it as 'let's try it for a week' and it doesn't work, then you've given it your best shot".

The Guardian

It's a way of saying, "It's O.K., you did the thinking, and you gave it your best shot, and it crashed, but it was an honorable step".

The New York Times

You gave it your best shot.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "give it your best shot" to encourage someone facing a challenge, emphasizing the importance of effort regardless of the outcome.

Common error

While encouraging, avoid using "give it your best shot" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with alternatives like "do your best" or "try your hardest" to maintain engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give it your best shot" functions as an idiomatic expression of encouragement. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability, highlighting its use to motivate someone to try their hardest in a given situation. It essentially urges one to make a sincere effort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "give it your best shot" is a widely used idiomatic expression offering encouragement to try one's hardest. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently found in news, academic, and wiki contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal settings. Remember to vary your language to avoid overuse and use related phrases such as "do your best" or "try your hardest". Top authoritative sources include The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Give it your all

Focuses on effort without specifically mentioning "shot" or attempt.

Do your best

A more general form of encouragement, lacking the idiomatic punch.

Try your hardest

Emphasizes the level of effort, but less concise.

Go for it

Short, punchy, and direct encouragement to take action.

Make every effort

Stresses dedication but is more formal and less conversational.

Pull out all the stops

Suggests using every resource available, which can imply more intensity.

Leave no stone unturned

Focuses on thoroughness rather than just giving it a try.

Take a crack at it

Similar in meaning but less forceful and slightly more informal.

Do what you can

Acknowledges limitations while still encouraging effort.

Put your best foot forward

Implies making a good impression in addition to trying hard.

FAQs

How can I use "give it your best shot" in a sentence?

You can use "give it your best shot" to encourage someone to try their hardest, as in "You have an interview tomorrow, so "give it your best shot"!"

What can I say instead of "give it your best shot"?

Alternatives include "do your best", "try your hardest", or "go for it", depending on the context.

Is "give it your best shot" appropriate for formal situations?

While generally acceptable, "give it your best shot" is better suited for informal or neutral contexts. In formal settings, consider more professional alternatives like "make every effort".

What does "give it your best shot" imply?

"Give it your best shot" implies encouraging someone to make a sincere effort and to not hold back, regardless of the potential outcome.