have a crack at (something)

have a crack at (something)

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 have a crack at it. You had your chance trying to break the piñata, now let your sister have a crack at it.

See also: crack, have

have a crack at

Also, get or have a go or shot or whack at ; take 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.

See also: crack, have

have a crack at something

BRITISH, AUSTRALIAN, INFORMAL or

take a crack at something

AMERICAN, INFORMAL

COMMON If you have a crack at something difficult or challenging, you try to do it. I've decided now to have a crack at the world cross country race. Have you ever thought you might like to have a crack at Hollywood? He says if he had a chance he'd like to take a crack at writing the screenplay.

See also: crack, have, something

have a crack at

make an attempt at doing, achieving, or winning (something).

See also: crack, have

have a ˈcrack at (doing) something

,

get a ˈcrack at (doing) something

(informal) make an attempt at doing something: Why not let me have a crack at fixing the kettle? ♢ When will we get a crack at the championship?

See also: crack, have, something

have a crack at something

verb

See take a crack at something

See also: crack, have, something