given something a whirl
Took a shot
To give something a whirl is to try it out, usually with a casual or experimental attitude rather than serious commitment.
The expression suggests the quick, spinning motion of testing something briefly to see how it goes.
I've never made sourdough before, but I'll give it a whirl.
The phrase implies low stakes—if it doesn't work out, no great loss.
- try outTest before committing
- attemptEffort to accomplish
- dabbleEngage superficially
- curiosityDesire to learn
- testEvaluative examination
give it a shot · test the waters · have a go · learning · excitement · trial · why not · throw caution · roll the dice · venture · sample · explore · experiment · hesitation · spontaneity · discovery · bravery · nothing ventured
given something a whirlmastered
Gained full proficiency
taken seriously · made a career of · buckled down · knuckled down · gone the whole hog
given something a whirlpassed on
Died or transferred
declined · avoided · shied away from · turned down · abstained
given, gives, giving, giver, givers, forgiven, forgiveness, forgiving, something