PhrasesHub

try his hand

    Definitions

      • attempt something new or unfamiliar
        Encourage someone to give a new activity or task a try, indicating that they should make an effort to see how well they can do

      • test one's skills or abilities
        Refer to someone attempting to see how skilled or capable they are in a particular area or task

    Examples of try his hand

    • John decided to try his hand at painting after seeing some beautiful artwork at a local gallery.

      This means that John has never painted before, but he wants to learn and see if he enjoys it. The phrase "try his hand" suggests that John is not a professional painter and is merely attempting it as a new experience.

    • Sarah's husband has always loved cooking, but he's been too busy with work to try his hand at it.

      This shows that Sarah's husband has an interest in cooking, but has never really had the time to pursue it as a hobby. By saying "try his hand," Sarah's husband is not necessarily a terrible cook, but he hasn't had much experience in the kitchen.

    • After retiring from his job as a lawyer, James decided to try his hand at writing novels.

      This means that James has never written a novel before, but he has always enjoyed reading them and wants to see if he can create one himself. The phrase "try his hand" implies that James is new to the craft of writing and is not necessarily a seasoned author.

    • Emma's children all love playing soccer, and their dad has even started coaching them to try his hand at coaching.

      This shows that Emma's husband hasn't coached soccer before, but he wants to help his kids improve their skills on the field. By saying "try his hand," Emma's husband is not necessarily a terrible coach, but he doesn't have extensive experience coaching soccer teams.

    • Adam has always been interested in photography, but he hasn't had the opportunity to really try his hand at it. Now that he owns a high-quality camera, he's eager to immerse himself in the art form and see what kind of photos he can create.

      The expression "try his hand at" is used to indicate that someone is attempting something new or unfamiliar to them. In this case, Adam has never fully explored the world of photography, but he's now taking steps to become more involved in it. Second example:

    • After retiring from her long and successful career as a teacher, Sarah decided to try her hand at painting. She had always enjoyed drawing and sketching, but she'd never pursued it seriously. Now that she has more free time, she's found a new passion in creating more intricate works of art.

      This example demonstrates how the idiom can be used to describe someone beginning a new hobby or interest in their retirement. The expression highlights the idea that they are giving something a serious or sustained effort, rather than just dabbling in it. Third example:

    • Jack has always been a talented musician, but he's never had the chance to really try his hand at playing in a band. Now that he's joined a local group, he's excited to see what kind of music they can create together.

      This example illustrates how the expression can be applied to a specific group or collaboration. In this instance, Jack is taking his skills as a musician and applying them to a new setting - playing with others in a band. Fourth example:

    • Lisa has always been passionate about cooking, but she's never had the chance to really try her hand at running a restaurant. Now that she's opened her own eatery, she's facing a whole new set of challenges and opportunities.

      This example shows how the expression can be used to describe someone starting a new business or venture. The phrase highlights the idea that they're taking a significant risk and applying their skills and experience to something unfamiliar.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "try his hand" is commonly used to suggest attempting something new or testing one's skills. It can be used to encourage someone to give a new activity a try or to refer to someone testing their abilities in a specific area. Overall, the phrase is about putting in effort and seeing what one is capable of achieving.

    Origin of "try his hand"

    The origin of the idiom "try his hand" can be traced back to the idea of testing one's abilities or skills through physical actions. The term "hand" in this context refers to one's manual dexterity and skill in performing tasks. The use of hands to create, build, or accomplish tasks has been a significant aspect of human history, making the reference to trying one's hand a relatable and understandable concept.

    In the context of trying something new, the idiom likely originated from the notion of craftsmen or artisans trying their hand at different techniques or projects to expand their skills. Over time, this idea evolved to encompass a broader range of activities and tasks beyond just manual labor, leading to the more general usage of the phrase we see today.

    Overall, the idiom "try his hand" captures the essence of experimentation, effort, and skill development, making it a versatile and commonly used phrase in everyday language.