try

try (something) for size

To try, use, or consider something in order to make a decision or form an opinion about it. Likened to putting on a garment to see if it fits. Sometimes used as a rhetorical imperative to behold an extreme example of something. The whole point of test driving a car is to try it for size to see if you feel comfortable in it. Too hungry for a regular burger? Try this for size! It's eight patties!

See also: for, size, try

try (something) on for size

To try, use, or consider something in order to make a decision or form an opinion about it. Likened to putting on a garment to see if it fits. Sometimes used as a rhetorical imperative to behold an extreme example of something. The whole point of test driving a car is to try it on for size to see if you feel comfortable in it. Too hungry for a regular burger? Try this on for size! It's eight patties!

See also: for, on, size, try

try on

1. Literally, to put on a garment or other wearable item to see if it fits. A noun or pronoun can be used between "try" and "on." I'm going to try on this dress to see if it fits, because it's on sale for an incredible price. I'm so glad you like the ring! You should try it on in case we need to get it resized.

2. By extension, to try, use, or consider something in order to make a decision or form an opinion about it. A noun or pronoun can be used between "try" and "on." Sometimes expanded to the phrase "try (something) on for size." The boss is trying on a new approach to communicating with vendors. The whole point of test driving a car is to try it on for size to see if you feel comfortable in it.

See also: on, try

try out

1. verb To try, use, or consider something in order to make a decision or form an opinion about it. A noun or pronoun can be used between "try" and "out." The whole point of test driving a car is to try it out and see if you feel comfortable in it. Too hungry for a regular burger? Then try out our new "Ultra Burger," with eight beef patties!

2. verb To perform before an evaluator in order to be selected for a particular role or position, such as on an athletic team. I'm planning to try out for the basketball team, so I'm going to try to practice every day this summer.

3. noun A process in which one performs before an evaluator in order to be selected for a particular role or position, such as on an athletic team. As a noun, the phrase is usually hyphenated or spelled as one word, and is sometimes pluralized ("tryouts"). The band's drummer just quit, so they're having an open tryout to select a replacement. Hey, I didn't see you at tryouts today. You didn't get cut, did you?

See also: out, try

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

try something (on) (for size)

 

1. Lit. to put on an article of clothing to see if it fits. Here, try this on for size and see if it fits any better. Please try on this shirt for size.

2. Fig. to evaluate an idea or proposition. Now, try on this idea. Try this plan for size. I think you'll like it.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.