give it a whirl
Make an attempt
To give something a whirl is to try it, especially something unfamiliar or uncertain: I've never made soufflé before, but I'll give it a whirl.
The phrase suggests a casual, low-stakes attempt—you're willing to see what happens without heavy commitment.
The whirl evokes spinning something up to see how it runs.
- attemptEffort to accomplish
- dabbleEngage superficially
- experimentSystematic investigation procedure
- have a goMake an attempt
- first crackInitial opportunity to attempt
adventure · boldness · test · spontaneity · take a stab · risk-taking · throw caution · test the waters · undertake · shot in the dark · nothing to lose · endeavor · trial · trial run · spin · curiosity · initiate · challenge
- try phrasestake a stab, have a go, try your luck, make an effort, take a shot
give it a whirldecline
Decrease or refuse
reject · say no · refuse · turn it down · turn down
give it a whirlhold back
Prevent forward movement
hesitate · drag one's feet · play it safe · avoid · balk
give it a whirldo nothing
Remain inactive deliberately
abstain · hold back · stand pat · let it go · leave it alone
give, gives, given, giving, giver, givers, forgive, forgave, forgiven