try-baby

plural try-babies

1. derogatoryinformalA person who makes an attempt without being fully committed to success.

   Don't be a try-baby, Hank, be a do-baby.

   1998, Norm Hiscock, "Propane Boom" (King of the Hill TV episode)

   1 more example

   Don't Be a "Try-Baby" If you want to achieve any goal, your first step is to declare it. Take 100 percent responsibility for creating it and then clear out all the words like "hopefully," "can't," "maybe" — and the killer, "try."

   2009, Matt Morris, The Unemployed Millionaire, page 49