give it (one's) best shot

(redirected from they are giving it their best shot)

give it (one's) best shot

To put forth one's best effort in an attempt to do or accomplish something. Henry gave it his best shot, but the board still denied his proposal.

See also: give, shot

give it one's best shot

Make one's hardest or most enthusiastic attempt, as in I don't know if I can do it, but I'll give it my best shot. This expression employs shot in the sense of "attempt," a usage dating from the mid-1700s.

See also: give, shot

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

give it your best shot

try as hard as you can to do something. informal

See also: give, shot

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

give it your best ˈshot

try as hard as you can to do or achieve something: I probably won’t win the game, but I’ll give it my best shot.

See also: give, shot

give it one's best shot, to

To try one’s hardest; to expend optimum effort. Originally a military term, best shot in the sixteenth century denoted the soldiers who could most accurately shoot the enemy, according to William Safire. However, the word shot also had meant an attempt or a try from the mid-eighteenth century on, casting some doubt on this and other etymologies, which trace the term to billiards and boxing. In any event, in the twentieth century it became commonly used in politics (“The candidate was willing to give it her best shot”), as well as in other contexts. David Baldacci had it in Hour Game (2004): “‘If you can wake them up. . . .’—‘We’ll give it our best shot,’ said King.”