attempt1 nounattempt2 verb
attemptat‧tempt1 /əˈtempt/ ●●● S2 W1 noun [countable] 
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a field-goal attempt
- After four attempts, Mike finally passed his driving test.
- All my attempts to get the machine working failed miserably.
- It was a deliberate attempt to mislead the voters.
- The climbers will make another attempt to reach the summit today.
- The government has announced that it will fund an extra 10,000 doctors in an attempt to reduce waiting times for operations.
- Dissent has occurred at times among university students in attempts to radicalise dominant ideas.
- During a meeting at the Diamond police restrained attempts by loyalist and Catholic youths to break through their fines.
- He had been told also, in whispered confidence, that two attempts against the target had failed.
- It began an attempt to do this in several policy documents.
- The attempt at adding-machine accuracy shows how serious the priests were about numbering the new saints bound for heaven.
- They ploughed cash into marketing attempts and even won a prize from the local council.
- This was an incredible result bearing in mind the general statistics of 98 percent failure rates reported for most dieting attempts.
Longman Language Activatorwhen you try to do something
when you try to do something, especially something you have not tried before: · After four attempts, Mike finally passed his driving test.attempt an attempt to do something: · All my attempts to get the machine working failed miserably.· It was a deliberate attempt to mislead the voters.make an attempt: · The climbers will make another attempt to reach the summit today.in an attempt to do something: · The government has announced that it will fund an extra 10,000 doctors in an attempt to reduce waiting times for operations.
an attempt to do something, especially when this involves a lot of hard work or determination: · Cleaning up polluted rivers will take considerable time and effort.· Faster and faster he pulled on the rope, gasping with the effort.effort to do something: · All his efforts to convince Lucy failed.effort at: · The workers went on strike after efforts at negotiation with management broke down.in an effort to do something: · The company has announced 500 job losses in an effort to cut costs.
a planned series of activities that are intended to persuade people to do something or to bring social or political change: campaign to do something: · The government's campaign to recruit more black police officers has not been a success.campaign for: · the campaign for prison reformelection campaign (=a campaign to win an election): · All kinds of extravagant promises were made during the election campaign.advertising campaign: · The company has spent over £50 million on its latest advertising campaign.launch/mount a campaign (=start a campaign): · The company has launched an advertising campaign in the hope of attracting new customers.
a planned effort, especially by a company or a government, to achieve a particular kind of improvement within a short time: drive for: · We need a new drive for investment in Britain's inner cities.drive to do something: · The government must continue this drive to find new, cleaner forms of energy.efficiency/economy/modernization etc drive: · As part of the bank's efficiency drive substantial cuts are being made in the workforce.
to try to do something · Sorry I didn't phone you. I did try, but your line was busy.· I tried all the keys, but none of them would open the door.try to do something · I tried to get another job but I had no luck.· Try to relax and empty your mind.· He tried to walk past me down the stairs, but I stopped him.try hard (=try using a lot of effort) · I was trying hard to concentrate, but my mind kept wandering.try doing something · You could try parking by the library - there's usually room in the car park there.try and do something · I'll tell some jokes to try and cheer him up.
to try to do something, especially something that is difficult, dangerous, or new: · No one has attempted this experiment before.· A rescue was attempted by Coast Guards, but it was not successful.attempt to do something: · Any prisoner who attempts to escape will be shot.· Someone had attempted to open the car door.· They are attempting to become the first to climb Everest without oxygen tanks.
also have a go especially British spoken to try to do something, especially when you think you may not succeed: · I can't get the lid off this jar. Do you want to have a try?· Have a go - you might be able to get the answer.have a try/go at doing something: · We had a go at trying to coax the cat indoors using scraps of food.
spoken to try to do something - use this either to offer to do something for someone, or to ask someone to do something for you: · If you want to come to the show, I'll see if I can get you a ticket.· See if you can get him to change his mind.
to try on one occasion to do something, especially something difficult, dangerous, or new: make an attempt to do something: · I made an attempt to apologize, but Brian wouldn't even talk to me.· Several attempts were made to negotiate with the gunmen.make no attempt to do something: · The protesters made no attempt to resist arrest.
British /endeavor to do something American formal to try to do something: · We always endeavour to provide our customers with the highest standards of service.· I remained for some time endeavouring to engage Mr Campbell in conversation.
formal to try to achieve something, especially something that may take a long time but which you think is important: · The Smiths are now seeking to take their case to the European Court.· For over two decades the USA sought to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia.· Our economic policies seek to increase productivity, expand markets and create jobs.
to try to do something that is difficult: · There are too many families struggling to survive on low incomes.· I found my father struggling to lift one end of an enormous chest of drawers.· She struggled to express her feelings.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs
They abandoned their attempt to recapture the castle. an abortive attempt to reform local government He narrowly escaped an assassination attempt (=when someone tries but fails to kill someone else). a belated attempt to increase support the brave efforts of the medical staff to save his life a calculated attempt to deceive the American public a clumsy attempt to catch the ball David made a clumsy attempt to comfort us. a deliberate attempt to humiliate her She was making a determined effort to give up smoking. He failed in his attempt to regain the world title. Despite our frantic efforts, we were unable to save the boy’s life. a fruitless attempt to settle the dispute So far, their search has been fruitless. a futile attempt to save the paintings from the flames My efforts to go back to sleep proved futile. I just want to be able to buy healthy food at a reasonable price. Is that asking the impossible? a lame attempt to deflect criticism Leo wouldn’t agree, despite our efforts to persuade him. a puny attempt at humour He was convicted of attempted rape. He admitted attempted robbery and was given a suspended sentence.
· She made several attempts to escape.
· They had to abandon their attempt to climb the mountain.
· He failed in his attempt to set a new Olympic record.
formal (=make it fail)· Troops loyal to the general foiled the assassination attempt.
· All attempts to find a cure have failed.
adjectives (also at the first/second etc attempt British English)· The car started at the second attempt.
(=one that does not succeed)· They worked through the night in a vain attempt to finish on schedule.
(=that involves a lot of effort)· Doctors made a desperate attempt to save his life.
· His question was a deliberate attempt to humiliate her.
· This is the first serious attempt to tackle the problem.
· an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the government
formal (=unsuccessful)· They made an abortive attempt to keep the company going.
(=certain to fail and not worth doing)· I jumped up and down in a futile attempt to keep warm.
(=certain to fail, and causing something very bad to happen)· His attempt to reach the Pole was doomed from the beginning.
approving (=one that you admire, but that is unsuccessful)· The previous government made a brave attempt to tackle the problem.· She made a valiant attempt to continue playing, but the pain was too much.
disapproving (=when someone openly tries to do something bad)· It was a blatant attempt to hide the truth.
· They made one final attempt to make their marriage work.
(=a final attempt to achieve something before it is too late)· Negotiators are making a last-ditch attempt to save the agreement.
NOUN + attempt· Two firefighters were hurt in the rescue attempt.
(=an attempt to kill a leader)· De Gaulle survived an assassination attempt in 1961.
(=an attempt to kill yourself)· He was admitted to hospital after a suicide attempt.
(=an attempt to change the government, usually by force)· The US helped to crush the coup attempt.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES They abandoned their attempt to recapture the castle. an abortive attempt to reform local government He narrowly escaped an assassination attempt (=when someone tries but fails to kill someone else). a belated attempt to increase support· It was a bold attempt to win back public confidence.
the brave efforts of the medical staff to save his life a calculated attempt to deceive the American public a clumsy attempt to catch the ball David made a clumsy attempt to comfort us. (=one that did not succeed)· There was an attempted coup against Togo’s military dictator.
· There have been repeated coup attempts against the government.
a deliberate attempt to humiliate her· Brian’s parents agreed to the treatment in a desperate attempt to save his life.
She was making a determined effort to give up smoking.· Some prisoners tried to escape, but most were recaptured or shot.
· She made several unsuccessful escape attempts before finally getting away.
He failed in his attempt to regain the world title. Despite our frantic efforts, we were unable to save the boy’s life. a fruitless attempt to settle the dispute So far, their search has been fruitless. a futile attempt to save the paintings from the flames My efforts to go back to sleep proved futile. I just want to be able to buy healthy food at a reasonable price. Is that asking the impossible? a lame attempt to deflect criticism (=the crime of trying to kill someone)· I am arresting you for attempted murder.
Leo wouldn’t agree, despite our efforts to persuade him. a puny attempt at humour He was convicted of attempted rape. (=an attempt to break a record)· They will make another record attempt next year.
(=try to rescue someone)· The stormy conditions made it impossible to mount a rescue.
· One fire fighter was severely burned in the rescue attempt.
· The rest of the board resisted his attempts to change the way things were done.
He admitted attempted robbery and was given a suspended sentence. (=try to kill yourself)· She had attempted suicide twice.
· He was admitted to a psychiatric facility after a suicide attempt.
· He was charged with attempted theft.
· We made several unsuccessful attempts to tackle the problem.
· People close their windows at night in a vain attempt to shut out the sound of gunfire.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· In 1909 an abortive attempt was made, by the present owner's grandfather, to produce hydroelectric power.· An abortive attempt was made by Aprista newspapers to prove that the university had misappropriated public funds.· The charges against Enrile arose from the abortive coup attempt of December 1989, the most serious military insurrection Aquino to date.· He soon drifted away from his hometown to Rome, where he made an abortive attempt to complete law school.
· A brave attempt, but ruined by the fact that neither of the elements are really up to much.· The success of President Mohammad Khatami's brave attempt to democratize the country hangs in the balance.· A brave attempt, but spoiled by poor execution.· Richard Body has made a brave attempt to shed the mythology and propaganda, and to expose farming objectives to public debate.· It had been a brave attempt and was recognised as such.
· In both examples, a conscious attempt has been made-to segment the market. 11.· It is squarely in the scientific tradition and is a conscious attempt to apply scientific method to international relations.· But any conscious attempt to disregard this proportionality would inflict unnecessary losses and suffering.
· Therefore it is easy to assume that this must be a deliberate, callous attempt to inflict hurt.· But the difference really shows in the deliberate attempt to abandon traditional forms of school discipline.· There were deliberate attempts to develop elements of both high and popular culture in music, poetry, dance, and games.· Apprised of this, the Friendship crew discounted it as a deliberate attempt to mislead them.· What effect would a deliberate attempt to change this image have?· The enterprise of science consists in the proposal of highly falsifiable hypotheses, followed by deliberate and tenacious attempts to falsify them.· I knew it was a deliberate attempt from the word go to bring the band down.· Planned towns were deliberate attempts to exploit the economic possibilities of a site; and like any other investment could go wrong.
· It's just a desperate attempt to make Sandra seem interesting.· Prosecutors say it was around this time that Kim conceived a fraud scheme in a desperate attempt to save his conglomerate.· Joy made one last desperate attempt and produced the most horrendous squeak ever, like a hare caught by a harvest scythe.· She made a desperate attempt to move.· Flights took place sporadically throughout the month in a desperate attempt to build up stockpiles of supplies before the winter.· He made two desperate attempts to recoup by staging the kind of garish spectacle that had once lured customers to the Falls.· In a last desperate attempt to free himself of investigation, Nixon dismissed the special prosecutor Cox in October 1973.· A desperate attempt to make some capital out of the black passed pawn on b2.
· Edmund's early attempts at opposition seem to have come to nothing.· Many early attempts at electronic markets have failed because these basic conditions were not met.· In 1901 Hobhouse made an early attempt at accounting for the evolution of mental structure.· For example, early attempts to organize financial community were not successful.· An earlier attempt had been withdrawn immediately after the 19 October 1987 Wall Street crash.· Adding fuel to the fire, some early attempts at lower-fat offerings were truly disappointing.· An earlier attempt at a Picture Prices Current had already folded some years before.
· Policy strategies which attack the social and economic determinants of ill-health are dismissed as futile attempts at social engineering.· A number of women were quite bitter about their futile attempts to get clergy to help.· These are the remains of unfortunate wretches driven to kill themselves in a futile attempt to escape the torments of the Castle.· They showed no qualms in spending £3 billion in a futile attempt to prop up the Pound.
· John had made quite a serious attempt to stop him joining the mining expedition, and then had dropped it.· Yet most managers in most companies make no serious attempt to do that.· It was too early in the trip for a serious attempt and all of us were decidedly under the weather.· This had been consolidated in power by the end of the fourteenth century, after the one serious attempt to overthrow it.· The 1970s saw the beginning of serious attempts to develop remedial services in local authorities.· When those techniques have been mastered, the student is ready to make his first serious destruction attempt.· The 1970s saw the beginning of serious and substantial attempts to understand and improve the financial reporting practices of public sector organizations.· When comprehensive schools became the norm there was still no serious attempt to rethink the curriculum or the values incorporated within it.
· On March 4, however, 30 soldiers made an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the government.· Rossignol and Phillis theorize that this pattern of caffeine use may reflect an unsuccessful attempt by the women to self-medicate with caffeine.· If it is, you have probably tried to create the new database twice, after an unsuccessful first attempt.· Six days later, after unsuccessful attempts to re-establish contact, the company declared it permanently out of service.· At an earlier hearing the court heard that the police had made unsuccessful attempts to serve the complaint.· In 1988 he made an unsuccessful attempt to challenge Mr Hattersley for the deputy leadership.
· Fifi was back at the bars and stretching out her hand in a vain attempt to reach the steel tray.· Atmel is spending $ 400 million this year in a vain attempt to meet demand.· Curling his toes in a vain attempt to frustrate the inhospitable lino, Mungo watched, fascinated.· Something walking across her grave ... or the forces in heaven laughing at her vain attempts to re-write her future?· People close their windows at night in a vain attempt to shut out the sound of sirens and gunfire.· Once, I dived full-length across the court in a vain attempt to retrieve the ball.· In a vain attempt to maintain her independence, she spent Monday and Tuesday nights at home - alone.· The protesters flung handfuls of earth into the trenches in a vain attempt to lift the siege of the West Bank town.
NOUN· It was clear he had had nothing to do with the assassination attempt.· There was shouting, the kind of confused commotion that usually attends an assassination attempt.· The White Lions protected him from many assassination attempts and his personal retinue of Sapherian wizards countered all death-spells.· So far, no material evidence has linked Pyongyang to the assassination attempt.· The assassination attempt at Rastenburg last year ... it caused him grave damage.· Patricio Martnez survived the assassination attempt.· He addressed a crowd of his civilian supporters at Baabda on Oct. 12, when he only narrowly escaped an assassination attempt.· The assassination attempt on his life had been thwarted and his master plan on the Continent was going exactly to plan.
· There are several measures which might reduce the chances of a suicide attempt in an individual at risk.· Shea said the sparse cell where Salvi is housed is designed to frustrate suicide attempts.· The father continued the suicide attempt but he was rescued by police.· Depression has been a lifelong struggle for me, and 17 years ago I was hospitalized after a suicide attempt.· The court heard the girl has made several suicide attempts and is still receiving treatment.· He sloshed around in a cold river in a halfhearted suicide attempt.· Mr Jamshidi has recently left hospital after slashing his wrists in his own suicide attempt.· He was taken to hospital on July 29 with bullet wounds to the chest, apparently the result of a suicide attempt.
VERB· Loretta decided she would have to abandon her attempt to see Veronica for the rest of the day.· Helen watched my grandmother with a peculiar horror, for my grandmother had abandoned all attempts to make herself presentable.· Charles realized that he must abandon the attempt to re-assert the Forest rights enjoyed by his medieval predecessors.· It abandons the attempt to detect a class struggle between exploiters and exploited within advanced capitalism.· Isabel abandoned the attempt and fought to regain her control instead.· In reality it was simply a recognition that the government had abandoned any serious attempt to keep monetary growth within targets.
· You have failed in your attempt to convince me of the coincidence between the bourgeois and the human.· After contact they zoom away, Doppler-shifting into the horizon, which is littered with failed attempts.· April 23-24 Baker fails in his attempt to persuade Assad to moderate his position during talks in Damascus.· A failed attempt to relax at bedtime causes more anxiety and can condition you to associate relaxation techniques with insomnia.· His failed attempts in seducing the young woman angered him to the point of incarcerating her.· One prime minister was assassinated by the Brothers; they failed in an attempt on Nasser himself.· The Democratic National Committee, in its failed attempt to match Republican fund raising, went a little bananas.
· Albert panicked, and put the receiver down, which made the next attempt more difficult.· Congress did make feeble attempts to regain its honor.· The assassin had made two attempts upon her life.· With remarkable poise, he quickly put the two broken pieces in one hand and made an attempt to paddle canoe-style.· He's made 2 escape attempts and had a reputation for persistent violence.· She makes another attempt to take me by the hand and pull me forward.· He had made 2 previous attempts to commit suicide.· He'd made no attempt to hold back as he knew there was more to come.
· Citizens died on the church steps in their attempt to prevent altar-pieces being taken away.· But once again, our attempt to prevent bad management made good management impossible.· Despite Brett's attempt to prevent it, the firebombs had been detonated.· The rule is an attempt to prevent harm to pets or rare species that may wander into the traps.· Uefa is to rule on Leeds's decision to ban visiting supporters in an attempt to prevent further violence.· In an attempt to prevent his mouth from falling open, a woollen strap had been passed beneath his chin.· A judge said it is the duty of the courts to support any attempts being made to prevent crimes of that nature.· It might also start by attempts to prevent the transportation of strikebreakers or goods, and a clash would follow police intervention.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► an attempt on somebody’s lifePHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1an act of trying to do something, especially something difficultattempt to do something- We want to set up an attempt on the life of the President.
- Accepting our human limitations in these high-pressure times, though, takes conscious effort.
- And each time the child has to make a new conscious effort like that, there is an opportunity to lose concentration.
- I made a conscious decision to do more than persevere in the remaining years I have with my voice.
- In both examples, a conscious attempt has been made-to segment the market. 11.
- It's a conscious decision and I think it's important that men understand a woman who is offering an alternative lifestyle.
- Just lately I have made a conscious effort to really look at the book.
- Other subjects - like calculus or computing - can not be learned without some conscious effort.
- What varies, and varies dramatically, is the conscious effort with which they are identified and undertaken.
- Despite his bulk, he jumped several fences in a last-ditch attempt to escape.
- Horrified by his latest intentions, they were perhaps genuinely considering a last-ditch attempt to save him from himself.
- Last night, Mr Jones said he was involved in a last-ditch effort to save the unit.
- Munich had inspired a last-ditch attempt to bring down Chamberlain and save the peace.
- Not as a second-rate effort or a last-ditch effort.
- So finally, in a last-ditch attempt to salvage the exercise as a whole, the following workshop activity was developed.
- The Republican victories came despite a last-ditch effort by the president to help Democratic candidates.
All attempts to control inflation have failed.attempt at (doing) something her feeble attempts at humourat the first/second etc attempt She passed her driving test at the first attempt.2make no attempt to do something to not try to do something at all: He made no attempt to hide his anger.3an attempt on somebody’s life an occasion when someone tries to kill a famous or important person: She has already survived two attempts on her life.COLLOCATIONSverbsmake an attempt· She made several attempts to escape.abandon/give up an attempt· They had to abandon their attempt to climb the mountain.fail/succeed in your attempt· He failed in his attempt to set a new Olympic record.foil/thwart an attempt formal (=make it fail)· Troops loyal to the general foiled the assassination attempt.an attempt fails/succeeds· All attempts to find a cure have failed.adjectiveson the first/second etc attempt (also at the first/second etc attempt British English)· The car started at the second attempt.a vain attempt (=one that does not succeed)· They worked through the night in a vain attempt to finish on schedule.a desperate attempt (=that involves a lot of effort)· Doctors made a desperate attempt to save his life.a deliberate/conscious attempt· His question was a deliberate attempt to humiliate her.a serious/genuine attempt· This is the first serious attempt to tackle the problem.an unsuccessful/successful attempt· an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the governmentan abortive attempt formal (=unsuccessful)· They made an abortive attempt to keep the company going.a futile attempt (=certain to fail and not worth doing)· I jumped up and down in a futile attempt to keep warm.a doomed attempt (=certain to fail, and causing something very bad to happen)· His attempt to reach the Pole was doomed from the beginning.a brave/bold/gallant/valiant attempt approving (=one that you admire, but that is unsuccessful)· The previous government made a brave attempt to tackle the problem.· She made a valiant attempt to continue playing, but the pain was too much.a blatant attempt disapproving (=when someone openly tries to do something bad)· It was a blatant attempt to hide the truth.a final/last attempt· They made one final attempt to make their marriage work.a last-ditch attempt (=a final attempt to achieve something before it is too late)· Negotiators are making a last-ditch attempt to save the agreement.NOUN + attempta rescue attempt· Two firefighters were hurt in the rescue attempt.an assassination attempt (=an attempt to kill a leader)· De Gaulle survived an assassination attempt in 1961.a suicide attempt (=an attempt to kill yourself)· He was admitted to hospital after a suicide attempt.a coup attempt (=an attempt to change the government, usually by force)· The US helped to crush the coup attempt.attempt1 nounattempt2 verb
attemptattempt2 ●●● S2 W2 verb [transitive] WORD ORIGINattempt2
Origin:
1300-1400 Latin attemptare, from ad- ‘to’ + temptare ‘to touch, try’VERB TABLE
attempt
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | attempt |
| he, she, it | attempts | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | attempted |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have attempted |
| he, she, it | has attempted | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had attempted |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will attempt |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have attempted |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am attempting |
| he, she, it | is attempting | |
| you, we, they | are attempting | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was attempting |
| you, we, they | were attempting | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been attempting |
| he, she, it | has been attempting | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been attempting |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be attempting |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been attempting |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- A rescue was attempted by Coast Guards, but it was not successful.
- Any prisoner who attempts to escape will be shot.
- No one has attempted this experiment before.
- Someone had attempted to open the car door.
- They are attempting to become the first to climb Everest without oxygen tanks.
- At the time, ScotRail was also attempting to get through a similar application for the junction at Westerton, outside Glasgow.
- Brown believes the Greys are attempting to speed human evolution and enhance our spirituality by creating humans with some Grey genes.
- Do not attempt any diet without consulting your family doctor or specialist.
- For instance, the company is attempting to bring Internet access to a mass consumer audience through an agreement with Continental Cablevision.
- Some analysts are attempting to discipline the confused setting, primarily by studying what has happened in similar circumstances.
- These questions are especially germane in comparative research, where the analyst attempts to specify how the structure-function patterns vary between states.
- Vying for your custom, each site attempts to provide something a little different.
THESAURUS
to take action in order to do something that you may not be able to do: · I tried to explain what was wrong.· He tries hard in class, but he’s finding the work difficult.
to try to do something, especially something difficult. Attempt is more formal than try and is used especially in written English: · Any prisoner who attempts to escape will be shot.· He was attempting to climb one of the world’s highest mountains.
to try as hard as you can to do something: · We will do our best to help them.
to try to do something, when you find this difficult: · It is worth making an effort to master these skills.· She made a big effort to be nice to him.
to try very hard to do something that is very difficult, especially for a long time: · She’s still struggling to give up smoking.· Many of these families are struggling to survive.
formal to try very hard to achieve something: · The company must constantly strive for greater efficiency.
British English, endeavor American English formal to try hard to do something: · Each employee shall endeavour to provide customers with the best service possible.
informal to try to do something, especially when you are not sure that you will succeed: · I’m not very good at fixing taps, but I’ll have a go.· Do you want to have another try?
spoken to try to do something – used when offering to do something, or suggesting that someone should do something: · I’ll see if I can get you a ticket.· See if you can persuade her to come.
Longman Language Activatorto try to do something · Sorry I didn't phone you. I did try, but your line was busy.· I tried all the keys, but none of them would open the door.try to do something · I tried to get another job but I had no luck.· Try to relax and empty your mind.· He tried to walk past me down the stairs, but I stopped him.try hard (=try using a lot of effort) · I was trying hard to concentrate, but my mind kept wandering.try doing something · You could try parking by the library - there's usually room in the car park there.try and do something · I'll tell some jokes to try and cheer him up.
to try to do something, especially something that is difficult, dangerous, or new: · No one has attempted this experiment before.· A rescue was attempted by Coast Guards, but it was not successful.attempt to do something: · Any prisoner who attempts to escape will be shot.· Someone had attempted to open the car door.· They are attempting to become the first to climb Everest without oxygen tanks.
also have a go especially British spoken to try to do something, especially when you think you may not succeed: · I can't get the lid off this jar. Do you want to have a try?· Have a go - you might be able to get the answer.have a try/go at doing something: · We had a go at trying to coax the cat indoors using scraps of food.
spoken to try to do something - use this either to offer to do something for someone, or to ask someone to do something for you: · If you want to come to the show, I'll see if I can get you a ticket.· See if you can get him to change his mind.
to try on one occasion to do something, especially something difficult, dangerous, or new: make an attempt to do something: · I made an attempt to apologize, but Brian wouldn't even talk to me.· Several attempts were made to negotiate with the gunmen.make no attempt to do something: · The protesters made no attempt to resist arrest.
British /endeavor to do something American formal to try to do something: · We always endeavour to provide our customers with the highest standards of service.· I remained for some time endeavouring to engage Mr Campbell in conversation.
formal to try to achieve something, especially something that may take a long time but which you think is important: · The Smiths are now seeking to take their case to the European Court.· For over two decades the USA sought to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia.· Our economic policies seek to increase productivity, expand markets and create jobs.
to try to do something that is difficult: · There are too many families struggling to survive on low incomes.· I found my father struggling to lift one end of an enormous chest of drawers.· She struggled to express her feelings.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES They abandoned their attempt to recapture the castle. an abortive attempt to reform local government He narrowly escaped an assassination attempt (=when someone tries but fails to kill someone else). a belated attempt to increase support the brave efforts of the medical staff to save his life a calculated attempt to deceive the American public a clumsy attempt to catch the ball David made a clumsy attempt to comfort us. a deliberate attempt to humiliate her She was making a determined effort to give up smoking. He failed in his attempt to regain the world title. Despite our frantic efforts, we were unable to save the boy’s life. a fruitless attempt to settle the dispute So far, their search has been fruitless. a futile attempt to save the paintings from the flames My efforts to go back to sleep proved futile. I just want to be able to buy healthy food at a reasonable price. Is that asking the impossible? a lame attempt to deflect criticism Leo wouldn’t agree, despite our efforts to persuade him. a puny attempt at humour He was convicted of attempted rape. He admitted attempted robbery and was given a suspended sentence.
They abandoned their attempt to recapture the castle. an abortive attempt to reform local government He narrowly escaped an assassination attempt (=when someone tries but fails to kill someone else). a belated attempt to increase support· It was a bold attempt to win back public confidence.
the brave efforts of the medical staff to save his life a calculated attempt to deceive the American public a clumsy attempt to catch the ball David made a clumsy attempt to comfort us. (=one that did not succeed)· There was an attempted coup against Togo’s military dictator.
· There have been repeated coup attempts against the government.
a deliberate attempt to humiliate her· Brian’s parents agreed to the treatment in a desperate attempt to save his life.
She was making a determined effort to give up smoking.· Some prisoners tried to escape, but most were recaptured or shot.
· She made several unsuccessful escape attempts before finally getting away.
He failed in his attempt to regain the world title. Despite our frantic efforts, we were unable to save the boy’s life. a fruitless attempt to settle the dispute So far, their search has been fruitless. a futile attempt to save the paintings from the flames My efforts to go back to sleep proved futile. I just want to be able to buy healthy food at a reasonable price. Is that asking the impossible? a lame attempt to deflect criticism (=the crime of trying to kill someone)· I am arresting you for attempted murder.
Leo wouldn’t agree, despite our efforts to persuade him. a puny attempt at humour He was convicted of attempted rape. (=an attempt to break a record)· They will make another record attempt next year.
(=try to rescue someone)· The stormy conditions made it impossible to mount a rescue.
· One fire fighter was severely burned in the rescue attempt.
· The rest of the board resisted his attempts to change the way things were done.
He admitted attempted robbery and was given a suspended sentence. (=try to kill yourself)· She had attempted suicide twice.
· He was admitted to a psychiatric facility after a suicide attempt.
· He was charged with attempted theft.
· We made several unsuccessful attempts to tackle the problem.
· People close their windows at night in a vain attempt to shut out the sound of gunfire.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· In 1972 his own principle aide, General Oufkir, who ruled the country in the king's name attempted a coup.· Since this month's mutiny, Guei has arrested 35 officers, including four colonels, for attempting a coup.· Ivory Coast's government accused supporters of former prime minister Alassane Outtara of attempting a military coup.· In March 1988, a group of junior officers attempted a coup.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1to try to do something, especially something difficultattempt to do something- All I care about is solving this murder, I mean this attempted murder.
- He was acquitted of rape, attempted murder, administering poison with intent and kidnapping.
- In summary, therefore, most special aftercare services have had no effect on repetition rates after attempted suicide.
- Redmond denied attempted murder but admitted wounding with intent.
- Several forces have also seen very sharp rises in attempted murders.
- The charges include the murder of Becky and the attempted murder of Katie in April 1991.
- The suspects were held Wednesday on suspicion of attempted murder, attempted burglary and conspiracy.
- We have cured hundreds of people from Chicago, Ill., from gunshot wounds inflicted in attempted murders and robberies.
- Accepting our human limitations in these high-pressure times, though, takes conscious effort.
- And each time the child has to make a new conscious effort like that, there is an opportunity to lose concentration.
- I made a conscious decision to do more than persevere in the remaining years I have with my voice.
- In both examples, a conscious attempt has been made-to segment the market. 11.
- It's a conscious decision and I think it's important that men understand a woman who is offering an alternative lifestyle.
- Just lately I have made a conscious effort to really look at the book.
- Other subjects - like calculus or computing - can not be learned without some conscious effort.
- What varies, and varies dramatically, is the conscious effort with which they are identified and undertaken.
- Despite his bulk, he jumped several fences in a last-ditch attempt to escape.
- Horrified by his latest intentions, they were perhaps genuinely considering a last-ditch attempt to save him from himself.
- Last night, Mr Jones said he was involved in a last-ditch effort to save the unit.
- Munich had inspired a last-ditch attempt to bring down Chamberlain and save the peace.
- Not as a second-rate effort or a last-ditch effort.
- So finally, in a last-ditch attempt to salvage the exercise as a whole, the following workshop activity was developed.
- The Republican victories came despite a last-ditch effort by the president to help Democratic candidates.
In this chapter I will attempt to explain what led up to the revolution.attempt something Weather conditions prevented them from attempting the jump.► see thesaurus at try2 attempted murder/suicide/rape etc an act of trying to kill or harm someone, kill yourself etc: He pleaded guilty to attempted murder.GRAMMAR: Comparisonattempt• You attempt to do something: · They were attempting to climb the mountain.• You attempt something: · The prisoners attempted an escape.try• You try to do something: · I tried to call him at home.• In everyday spoken English, you say that you will try and do something (=try to do something): · I will try and call him at home.• If you try something, you taste or experience something for the first time: · I’ve never tried sushi before.- community policing
- community property
- community service
- community support officer
- commutation
- commute
- commuter
- commuter belt
- Comoros
- comp
- compact
- compact camera
- compact disc
- compact disc player
- CompactFlash
- compactly
- compactness
- companion
- companionable
- companionably
- Companion of Honour
- companionship
- companionway
- company
- company car