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give it a shot

简体
give it a shot
放手一试

Date: Dec 13 2012

Quote

1. Quote - Listen to the quote and guess what the slang means.

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“It was really unexpected. The producers asked me to do it and I said, ‘I’ll give it a shot.’”

- Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine on being asked to act in the TV series American Horror Story. (Us Weekly)

“这真是出乎意料。制片人请我去做,我说:‘我要放手一试。’”

- 魔力红乐队 (Maroon 5) 主唱亚当·李维 (Adam Levine) 谈论被邀请出演电视连续剧《美国恐怖故事》 (American Horror Story)。

Definition

1. Definition - Study the definition.

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try it, see if it’s good

2. Use - Learn how the slang is used.

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The word “shot” has a number of meanings. You can take a shot with a gun, or a bow and arrow. Photographers or filmmakers are also sometimes said to “shoot film,” or try to get a “good shot” of their subject. A shot is also a name for a small glass of hard alcohol.

When people say, “I’ll give it a shot,” though, they simply mean that they’re going to try something out. In this case, a shot is just a try. The person may not be that confident in his or her ability to do the activity, but he or she will try it out and see what happens.

This is how singer Adam Levine felt when he was asked to act in the TV series American Horror Story. He was a singer, not an actor, but he thought he might as well try. He would check it out and see what happened. He decided to give it a shot.

Can you think of a time when you’ve decided to just give something a shot?

Examples

1. Examples - Hear some example sentences.

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“I’m not sure if I’ll like Japanese food, but I’ll give it a shot.”

“You won’t know if you like scuba diving until you try. Why don’t you give it a shot?”

“I usually don’t like singing karaoke, but I might as well give it a shot.”

Winners

1. Winners - See who guessed the slang definition correctly.

goodmahsa give it a crack.try to do something.
by goodmahsa
sahoora I'll try it
by sahoora
I will try it...
by sheitooonak
dearpesar try it
by dearpesar
to try, take one's chance
by friendlover
Manu4 To try to do something.
by Manu4
a2020 It means Adam will try it.
by a2020
try it .
by sepehr_blue_sky
It means to give it a try.
by Skywalker84
aria8111 I'll try it. My uncle in an unexpected suggestion gave me his track for driving in a highway for my first time, I gave it a shot, It wasn't so bad but dangerous.
by aria8111
Nabilo check it out, try it
by Nabilo
 julito to try something new that we are not certain about and go ahead anyway.
by julito

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Comments

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zarin.setare

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

trying anew thing for example i didnt eat indian food but i like to give it a shot

07:53 PM Dec 18 2012 |

Fernandinha

Brazil

Japanese food… I gave it a shot and I became a big fan of this food!

05:13 PM Dec 18 2012 |

yoyo+soso

Saudi Arabia

Altough I do not like to try any thing I have no Idia about befor, but from now on I am going to give it a shot!!

10:14 AM Dec 18 2012 |

ola33

ola33

Japan

Every time when i look at the comic picture of the lesson with the finger shooting a fire, it just pops into my mind an image of the evil sorcerer from the fairy tale Regentrude. For me he used to be a horror haunting image:) and he always gave it a shot by sending fire from his wooden finger or hand. He’s a just an image of the burnt tree in fire since his aim was to send drought. But it’s a fairy tale. Neve mind :) Just association.


11:52 PM Dec 17 2012 |

Khenifra

Khenifra

Germany

My motto is always “give it a shot”. If you want to do unsafe things and you wait until your have more confident in yourself, you will not achieve your goals. You have to decide what you want and what you can and how you can achieve it and finaly just give it a shot and try it out.


I’ve done that, after my high school in morocco I give it a shot and decided to fenish my study in German and learn the German language  from zero, this dream is now happen and I’m successeful


08:40 PM Dec 16 2012 |

hanoooy

hanoooy

United States

give it a try, try it out. 

07:39 PM Dec 15 2012 |

Empty smile

Greece

what about don’t give it a shot ??

05:18 PM Dec 15 2012 |

snoopyboy

snoopyboy

Antarctica

Bella, I think there’s been a disconnect somewhere … I completely understood your point and all I said is that I was in agreement with it : )

03:30 PM Dec 14 2012 |

kotlesya

kotlesya

Belarus

friendlover thank for your question it was not simple one for such beginner in English  language like I am. I like questions because they develop the thinking and understanding. 


I looked up in my dictionaries yesterday and did some web research in order to find the answer on your question.


I hope the information I have found will be helpful for you. I will print it out and remember too. 


Also, get or have a go or shot or whack attake a crack at. Make an attempt or have a turn at doing something.


For example, Let me have a crack at assembling it, or I had a shot at it but failed, or Dad thinks he can—let him have a go at it, or Dave had a whack at changing the tire, or Jane wants to take a crack at it.


The oldest of these colloquialisms is have a shot at, alluding to firing a gun and first recorded in 1756; 


crack and go date from the 1830s, and whack from the late 1800s.


Keep on learning, friendlover :)

05:07 AM Dec 14 2012 |

1 person likes this

bellaboo2422

Pakistan


snoppy, i was just talking about the real experiences of life. and to dare something and results are to different things. it happens somtime when u give a successful shot and for the time being it looks you won but later it proves your shot was good but your reward is not because there is no compatibilty exists with situation. dont mind its my own veiw point and you can be differ with me.

03:10 AM Dec 14 2012 |

1 person likes this

knuschu

knuschu

Germany

The world is friendly to us. Why we not to the world? ..... give it a shot.

11:21 PM Dec 13 2012 |

ghamartaj

ghamartaj

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

i like to be a good Dr then i give it a shot.my heart is full of hope.all people must try..try..try for their life..

10:49 PM Dec 13 2012 |

naira71

naira71

Azerbaijan

I am not very good in spoken but here i learn many interesting exspressions and Ill surely give it shot.

08:45 PM Dec 13 2012 |

Irene Forever

Ukraine

Umm… Have I ever given anything a shot? Maybe yes, I just can’t remember. Kidding… :)


Of course, I have. The most difficult thing for me during my life was a childbirth. If any man ever tried doing it, he could understand me. I heard so many fearful things about it from other women that I was scared to death. Still I wanted a baby more than anything in the world, and I have it a shot which made me a happy mother.  As a result  I have an intelligent and handsome son who I adore as the most loved man in my life. No man can be more important for me than him. Here I hit the jackpot!


  

08:28 PM Dec 13 2012 |

rija ali

rija ali

Pakistan

to try something new.


08:18 PM Dec 13 2012 |

1 person likes this

Irene Forever

Ukraine

Julito, many women drive cars without any fear. I can’t,  not because I’m afraid of doing it, but rather I don’t like it. I think, you have the same problem like me. No connection with fear. You are not a coward, aren’t you? :) For sure, you are not.:)


 

08:11 PM Dec 13 2012 |

Irene Forever

Ukraine

ballin25, really??? And how about English?

08:06 PM Dec 13 2012 |

1 person likes this

mahsa.n

mahsa.n

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

try sth again for second time

07:42 PM Dec 13 2012 |

 julito

julito

Argentina

friendlover  , agree, have a shot is the same.

07:31 PM Dec 13 2012 |

I M P E R I V M

United States

I will give it a shot, if that does not kill it… I will give it another shot until it does haha!...

07:23 PM Dec 13 2012 |

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