take a stab

USAGE SUMMARY

"take a stab" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to taking a guess or attempting something. For example: "I'm not sure how exactly to tackle this problem, but I'll take a stab at it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Let's take a stab at it anyway.

The New York Times

Preliminarily, let me take a stab.

The New Yorker

But we'll take a stab anyway.

The Washington Post

Anybody want to take a stab at that?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Take a stab at it, and try the writing style.

Yale University

ADITI: I could take a stab at that.

Cornell University

"Did we take a stab in the heart?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

He is now taking a stab at Super Mario, everyone's favorite Italian plumber.

Huffington Post

A year ago, while still governor, she took a stab at rejecting $28.6 million in federal stimulus for weatherization.

The New York Times

It takes a stab at identifying it.

The New York Times - Tech

At least eight screenwriters took a stab.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take a stab" when you want to express a tentative attempt or a guess, especially when you are not entirely confident in the outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "take a stab" in formal or professional writing where a more direct or confident tone is required. Opt for phrases like "make an attempt" or "provide an estimate" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a stab" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate an attempt or a guess. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a usable phrase in written English, commonly employed to express a tentative effort. Examples show its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

24%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

7%

Science

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take a stab" is a common idiomatic expression that signifies making an attempt or a guess, often when the outcome is uncertain. As verified by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While versatile, it's generally considered neutral to informal, making it less appropriate for highly formal or scientific contexts. When a more direct or confident tone is needed, alternatives like "make an attempt" or "provide an estimate" are preferable. The numerous examples provided by Ludwig underscore its frequency and diverse application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a shot

Similar to "give it a shot", but may imply a more forceful attempt.

give it a shot

Emphasizes the act of trying something, often when the outcome is uncertain.

make an attempt

Focuses on the action of trying something without necessarily implying a lack of certainty.

hazard a guess

Highlights the speculative nature of the attempt, focusing on guessing.

try one's hand

Suggests an attempt at something new or unfamiliar.

make a guess

Directly refers to the act of guessing without additional implications.

attempt an answer

Refers to trying to provide a solution, even if uncertain.

venture a try

Implies a bold or risky attempt.

offer a suggestion

Implies a tentative proposal or idea.

give an estimate

Focuses on providing an approximate value or assessment.

FAQs

What does "take a stab" mean?

The phrase "take a stab" means to attempt something, often when one is not entirely sure of the outcome or is making a guess.

How can I use "take a stab" in a sentence?

You can use "take a stab" when you want to express a tentative attempt or a guess, such as "I'm not sure how to fix it, but I'll "take a stab" at it".

What can I say instead of "take a stab"?

You can use alternatives like "make an attempt", "give it a shot", or "hazard a guess" depending on the context.

Is "take a stab" appropriate for formal writing?

While "take a stab" is widely understood, it's generally considered informal. In formal contexts, consider using more professional alternatives like "make an effort" or "offer a suggestion".