have a go

present singular third person has a go · participle present having a go · participle past had a go · past had a go

1. AustraliaUKinformalintransitiveTo make an attempt; to try.

   I've never tried karate before, but I'm willing to have a go.

2. AustraliaUKidiomaticinformalintransitiveTo attack someone physically; to have a fight.

   I heard you had a go at Jack the other night.

   2 more examples

   'Yes, me and Marty had a go when he didn't believe me about the girl.'

   2008, John Chalmers, The Lady on the Rocks, page 27

   But there were occasions when someone or other had a go — when I was going to have a drink from the fountain, for instance, and had to stand on tiptoe at the side to reach the jet of water. Then it was that the clever dogs saw their chance to do something tough atmy expense […]

   2004, Lars Saabye Christensen, Kenneth Steven, The Half Brother, page 314

3. AustraliaUKidiomaticinformalintransitiveTo tell off (especially unnecessarily or excessively), to criticise.

   My teacher had a go at me earlier, just for missing one sodding homework. I was fuming.

   2 more examples

   Except her dad had a go last time, the last time she'd brought home a detention slip for him to sign.

   2008, Stella Duffy, Mouths of Babes, page 10

   He had a go because I'm on the dole and I had a go back because he deals pills and robs kids.

   2016, Luke Barnes, Richard Milward, Ten Storey Love Song