make a stab at

Idioms and Phrases

Try to do something, as in I don't know the answer but I'll make a stab at it . This expression derives from stab in the sense of “a vigorous thrust.” [Late 1800s] Also see make a pass at , def. 2.

Example Sentences

Steven Rogers, a St. Louis University political science professor, took a national survey in 2018 and asked people to name their state representative — or at least make a stab at it.

From Washington Post

Teasdale had been struggling to make a stab at a solo career as a self-consciously kooky singer-pianist.

From BBC

Perseverance will make a stab at that, but human rock hounds, capable of traveling far over difficult terrain, climbing, digging, doing delicate work and intuitively following up clues, can do that job vastly better.

From Scientific American

It’s not feasible for everyone to fix their own wounds from childhood before becoming a parent, but I encourage you to make a stab at it, if at all possible.

From Slate

In the meantime, however, allow me to make a stab at offering the most preliminary of answers.

From Salon

Related Words

• dare
• operate