worth a shot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worth a shot" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is worth trying, even though the outcome is uncertain. Example sentence: I'm not sure if it will work, but it might be worth a shot.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

TMX was worth a shot.

The New York Times

It's worth a shot, however.

The New York Times

It is worth a shot.

The New York Times

It's worth a shot, Kilcullen says.

The New Yorker

Still, perhaps worth a shot.

The Guardian - Opinion

But certainly worth a shot.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It seems worth a shot.

The Guardian

It was worth a shot.

The Guardian - Film

Maybe it's worth a shot.

The Washington Post

b) At least it's worth a shot.

The New York Times - Style

"It seems like it's worth a shot.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "worth a shot" when you want to suggest trying something even if the outcome is uncertain, implying that the potential benefits outweigh the risks or effort.

Common error

Avoid using "worth a shot" excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using alternatives like "worth trying" or "can't hurt to try" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worth a shot" functions as an idiomatic expression used to suggest that something is worth attempting, even if the outcome is uncertain. Ludwig confirms this usage, showing its acceptance in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "worth a shot" is a common idiomatic expression used to suggest that something is worth trying, even if the outcome is uncertain. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. When writing, it's a practical way to communicate that the potential benefits of an action justify the risks. While it's a helpful phrase, it's essential to avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "worth trying" or "might as well try" to maintain variety in your writing. The source quality and expert rating indicate high confidence in the phrase's validity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worth a try

A more concise version of the original phrase, emphasizing the attempt.

worth trying

Focuses on the act of trying, without explicitly mentioning the potential for failure.

might as well try

Suggests a lack of better alternatives, making the attempt worthwhile.

can't hurt to try

Emphasizes the lack of negative consequences associated with trying.

nothing to lose

Highlights the absence of potential drawbacks, making the attempt a sensible choice.

it's feasible

Focuses on the possibility of success, although it doesn't completely capture the nuance of uncertainty.

it's viable

Similar to 'feasible', emphasizing the practical possibility of success.

it's an option

Presents the attempt as one of several possibilities, without explicitly endorsing it.

it's a possibility

Suggests that the attempt is a realistic choice.

it's worth considering

Focuses on the evaluation process, suggesting the attempt is worth thinking about.

FAQs

How can I use "worth a shot" in a sentence?

You can use "worth a shot" to suggest that an action is worth attempting even if its success isn't guaranteed. For example: "I don't know if this will work, but it's "worth a shot"."

What does "worth a shot" mean?

"Worth a shot" means that something is worth trying, even if the chances of success are low. It implies that the potential reward justifies the attempt.

Which is correct, "worth a shot" or "worth the shot"?

"Worth a shot" is the correct and idiomatic expression. "Worth the shot" is grammatically incorrect in this context.

What are some alternative phrases to "worth a shot"?

Alternatives include "worth a try", "might as well try", or "can't hurt to try", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.