take a whack at someone/something

take a whack at (someone or something)

1. To hit or attempt to hit someone or something with one's fist or some kind of instrument. I took a whack at him for making such a lewd suggestion. Try taking a whack at it—that usually gets the motor running again.

2. To attempt (to do) something; to take a turn trying (to do) something. Well, I haven't fixed a motor in nearly 10 years, but I'll certainly take a whack at it. You had your chance trying to break the piñata, now let your sister take a whack at it.

See also: take, whack

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

take a whack at someone/something

tv. to hit at someone or something. Jerry got an ax and took a whack at the tree but didn’t do much damage.

See also: someone, something, take, whack

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.