try hands on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'try hands on' can be used in written English, but it is more often used in colloquial speech.
It is usually used to mean "to have a go and try to do something by doing it yourself". For example, you could say "If you want to learn how to cook, you should try hands on and get some practice".

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Try "Hands on hips".

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

And he does so to stay on the move, trying this, trying that, hands on, hands off, which keeps his art light and fleet.

The New York Times - Arts

It is better to gather further information on the matter before you try your hands on it.

WikiHow

August 2008: Shailene tries out hands on hips.

Huffington Post

In fact, that is one reason Kerry has been given so much leeway to try his hand on Iran, Israel and Syria: They're all issues the White House is happy to drop into someone else's lap.

Los Angeles Times

Mr. Steel said he might try his hand on the podium with a favorite work, but not until after his first season on the job.

The New York Times

I don't think he has personal ambition other than to try to hand on the underpinnings of the regime to a worthy recipient".

The Guardian

Despite its name, there were no grass courts for him to try his hand on there, as they had fallen into disrepair through lack of use.

The Guardian - Sport

While his United States Open quest is sure to attract some attention this summer, he is determined to try his hand on the professional tour away from the spotlight.

The New York Times

The first startup I've come across that will try its hand on a 'Groupon for local business-to-business offers' is NYC-based MarketSharing.

TechCrunch

We'll try to get our hands on one and let you know how it goes.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey direct involvement and practical experience, "try hands on" can effectively emphasize the active participation in a task.

Common error

Avoid using "try hands on" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "personally attempt" or "undertake practically" to maintain a suitable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try hands on" functions as a modifier, emphasizing the practical and experiential nature of attempting something. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in contexts where direct involvement is key.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

50%

News & Media

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "try hands on" is a phrase used to describe the act of attempting something directly and practically. Ludwig identifies its presence in both news and media sources, but also emphasizes that the phrase is frequently used in more colloquial settings. While grammatically acceptable, its usage should be carefully considered in formal writing where more precise and professional alternatives may be more appropriate. When practical experience and active involvement are key, "try hands on" can effectively communicate the active participation in a task.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get involved hands-on

This option is slightly more verbose but reinforces the hands-on nature of the involvement.

engage directly

This alternative emphasizes the direct involvement in the activity, omitting the specific physical aspect.

take a hands-on approach

Frames the attempt as adopting a methodology rather than a single action.

personally attempt

This alternative replaces "try hands on" with a more straightforward and explicit verb choice, focusing on direct personal involvement.

experiment firsthand

Focuses on gaining experience through direct participation, emphasizing the experimental nature of the attempt.

undertake practically

Using "undertake practically" shifts the focus to the hands-on implementation aspect of the attempt.

tackle actively

This alternative suggests a more energetic and proactive approach to the attempt.

practice actively

It emphasizes the practical learning and development of skills through direct involvement.

do it yourself

Simplifies the expression to its core meaning, emphasizing self-reliance.

handle personally

Highlights the personal management and execution of the task, removing the element of experimentation.

FAQs

How can I use "try hands on" in a sentence?

You can use "try hands on" to describe someone actively engaging in a task for the first time. For example: "If you want to learn about coding, you should "try hands on" and build a simple website."

What does "try hands on" mean?

"Try hands on" means to attempt something by directly participating in it, often to gain practical experience.

Are there more formal alternatives to "try hands on"?

Yes, in formal contexts, consider using phrases like "personally attempt" or "undertake practically" instead of "try hands on".

Is "try hands on" grammatically correct?

The phrase "try hands on" is considered acceptable in informal contexts. However, it is less common in formal writing where more precise alternatives are preferred.