give something a whirl

verb

To try, test or attempt.

“I don't know how to begin, but I'll give it a whirl, anyway.”

Similar
take for a spin
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Meanings

verbgive something a whirl (third-person singular simple present gives something a whirl, present participle giving something a whirl, simple past gave something a whirl, past participle given something a whirl)

present singular third person gives something a whirl · participle present giving something a whirl · past gave something a whirl · participle past given something a whirl

  1. idiomaticinformalTo try, test or attempt.

    I don't know how to begin, but I'll give it a whirl, anyway.

    1 more example

    If you've never tried a recumbent bicycle before, you're welcome to give it a whirl.

    Synonyms: take for a spin

Synonyms & antonyms

verbTo try, test or attempt.

Similar
take for a spin
Also see
give something a gogive something a shotgive something a trytake for a spin

Translations

Māori karawhiu
  • karawhiuAn idiom for to try something
Cite this entry
APA

give something a whirl. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/give%20something%20a%20whirl

MLA

“give something a whirl.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/give%20something%20a%20whirl. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “give something a whirl,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/give%20something%20a%20whirl.

Source: give something a whirl on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.