50 Idioms for Trying Hard and Effort

Idioms are fun word phrases that mean something different than the actual words say. People use them to make talking and writing more colorful and exciting. In this article, you will learn fifty fun idioms related to trying.

In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms that mean putting forth effort, working hard, and giving your best. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.

Idioms for Trying

1. Give it your all

Definition: To put your absolute maximum effort and energy into a task.

Used in a Sentence: The soccer team promised to give it their all during the championship game. / You should give it your all when studying for spelling tests.

Similar Expressions: Try your best / Push hard

2. Put your shoulder to the wheel

Definition: To start working very hard and putting serious effort into a project.

Used in a Sentence: We had to put our shoulder to the wheel to finish the treehouse before dark. / If we all put our shoulder to the wheel, cleaning the yard will be fast.

Similar Expressions: Work hard / Push forward

3. Pull your socks up

Definition: An expression telling someone to try harder and improve their effort.

Used in a Sentence: The coach told the players to pull their socks up if they wanted to win. / My grades were dropping, so I knew I had to pull my socks up.

Similar Expressions: Try harder / Step up effort

4. Roll up your sleeves

Definition: To prepare yourself physically and mentally to do some hard work.

Used in a Sentence: We rolled up our sleeves to clean out the messy garage on Saturday morning. / The science project requires us to roll up our sleeves and build.

Similar Expressions: Get to work / Prepare for effort

5. Go the extra mile

Definition: To make a special extra effort beyond what is normally expected.

Used in a Sentence: She always goes the extra mile to help classmates with their artwork. / Going the extra mile on your history report earns top marks.

Similar Expressions: Do extra / Work harder

6. Leave no stone unturned

Definition: To try every possible way or search thoroughly to achieve a goal.

Used in a Sentence: We left no stone unturned while looking for my lost classroom key. / The detective left no stone unturned to solve the playground mystery.

Similar Expressions: Search everywhere / Try everything

7. Bend over backwards

Definition: To try extremely hard to help someone or accomplish a difficult task.

Used in a Sentence: The teacher bent over backwards to make sure everyone understood fractions. / Mom bent over backwards to plan our birthday party.

Similar Expressions: Try very hard / Strive greatly

8. Put your best foot forward

Definition: To try your absolute hardest and show your best qualities.

Used in a Sentence: Put your best foot forward during your school music audition. / She wanted to put her best foot forward on her first day of class.

Similar Expressions: Show best effort / Try your finest

9. Burn the midnight oil

Definition: To work or study late into the night with intense effort.

Used in a Sentence: He had to burn the midnight oil to finish his science fair board. / Burning the midnight oil before exams helps you feel prepared.

Similar Expressions: Study late / Work overnight

10. Give it a whirl

Definition: To try out a new activity or task to see how it goes.

Used in a Sentence: I had never played tennis before, but I decided to give it a whirl. / If you are scared of painting, just give it a whirl.

Similar Expressions: Try it out / Test it

11. Move heaven and earth

Definition: To try every possible extreme measure to make something happen.

Used in a Sentence: She promised to move heaven and earth to find our lost puppy. / He would move heaven and earth to win the school science fair.

Similar Expressions: Try everything / Strive endlessly

12. Stick to your guns

Definition: To keep trying and remain firm in your efforts despite obstacles.

Used in a Sentence: Even when the math problem got hard, she decided to stick to her guns. / Stick to your guns and finish your painting.

Similar Expressions: Keep trying / Remain firm

13. Knock yourself out

Definition: To work yourself to exhaustion while trying to complete a task.

Used in a Sentence: Do not knock yourself out trying to clean the whole yard in one hour. / He worked so hard on his model that he almost knocked himself out.

Similar Expressions: Work extremely hard / Exert fully

14. Put your back into it

Definition: To use physical strength and intense effort to lift or do work.

Used in a Sentence: Put your back into it so we can push this heavy box across the floor. / He put his back into digging the garden hole.

Similar Expressions: Push hard / Use strength

15. Give it a shot

Definition: To attempt something new with a positive and willing attitude.

Used in a Sentence: I did not know how to bake cookies, but I gave it a shot. / Why not give it a shot and enter the drawing contest?

Similar Expressions: Try once / Attempt it

16. Pull out all the stops

Definition: To use every available resource and maximum effort to succeed.

Used in a Sentence: The club pulled out all the stops to make the school dance amazing. / We pulled out all the stops for our final project.

Similar Expressions: Maximum effort / Use everything

17. Strive for excellence

Definition: To constantly try your hardest to produce the best possible work.

Used in a Sentence: Our teacher taught us to strive for excellence in every assignment. / Winning is nice, but you should always strive for excellence.

Similar Expressions: Aim high / Work for quality

18. Leave nothing to chance

Definition: To try so thoroughly that you prepare for every single detail.

Used in a Sentence: She studied every vocabulary word because she wanted to leave nothing to chance. / We packed extra pencils to leave nothing to chance.

Similar Expressions: Prepare fully / Be thorough

19. Take the plunge

Definition: To finally try a scary or difficult task after thinking about it.

Used in a Sentence: He was nervous about public speaking, but he decided to take the plunge. / Taking the plunge into art class was fun.

Similar Expressions: Jump in / Try bravely

20. Try your hand at

Definition: To attempt a new hobby or craft for the first time.

Used in a Sentence: I wanted to try my hand at pottery during summer camp. / She decided to try her hand at writing a mystery story.

Similar Expressions: Attempt hobby / Test skill

21. Put your nose to the grindstone

Definition: To work with steady, intense, and uninterrupted effort.

Used in a Sentence: Exams are coming, so we need to put our nose to the grindstone. / He put his nose to the grindstone and finished his essay early.

Similar Expressions: Study hard / Focus intently

22. Sweat blood

Definition: To put an immense amount of difficult labor and worry into a task.

Used in a Sentence: We had to sweat blood to finish building the giant stage prop. / Preparing for the regional math contest meant studying until he sweat blood.

Similar Expressions: Work extremely hard / Labor intensely

23. Run the extra mile

Definition: To push your limits and try harder than anyone else.

Used in a Sentence: Athletes who win medals are willing to run the extra mile in practice. / She always runs the extra mile during track workouts.

Similar Expressions: Push limits / Work extra

24. Battle through

Definition: To keep trying and fighting through a difficult obstacle or test.

Used in a Sentence: He felt tired during the race, but he managed to battle through. / We had to battle through complex puzzles during science club.

Similar Expressions: Persist / Fight on

25. Leave your mark

Definition: To try hard enough to create a lasting and memorable impact.

Used in a Sentence: The senior students wanted to leave their mark on the school mural. / Hard work helps you leave your mark in history.

Similar Expressions: Create impact / Be remembered

26. Leave no stone unturned in effort

Definition: A strong push to investigate and try every single possibility.

Used in a Sentence: The search party left no stone unturned in effort to find the cat. / We left no stone unturned in effort for the test prep.

Similar Expressions: Try all ways / Thorough search

27. Give it a try

Definition: A friendly invitation to attempt something without fear of failure.

Used in a Sentence: If you have never ridden a skateboard, why not give it a try? / I was hesitant, but I decided to give it a try.

Similar Expressions: Attempt it / Test out

28. Push the envelope

Definition: To try pushing past normal boundaries to achieve greater success.

Used in a Sentence: The young inventor wanted to push the envelope with his robot design. / Athletes push the envelope during training sessions.

Similar Expressions: Test limits / Exceed bounds

29. Keep your shoulder to the wheel

Definition: To maintain steady, continuous effort over a long period.

Used in a Sentence: Building the treehouse took weeks of keeping our shoulder to the wheel. / Keep your shoulder to the wheel and homework will get done.

Similar Expressions: Maintain effort / Work steadily

30. Leave skin in the game

Definition: To commit personal effort and risk failure while trying to succeed.

Used in a Sentence: Starting a new club means you have to leave skin in the game. / He worked hard because he had skin in the game.

Similar Expressions: Personal stake / True commitment

31. Give it a go

Definition: A casual phrase encouraging someone to attempt a new challenge.

Used in a Sentence: Climbing the rock wall looked scary, but I decided to give it a go. / She wanted to learn guitar and gave it a go.

Similar Expressions: Try it / Attempt now

32. Put muscle into it

Definition: To use physical strength and determination to accomplish hard work.

Used in a Sentence: Put muscle into it so we can open this stuck window. / The volunteers put muscle into moving the heavy tables.

Similar Expressions: Use strength / Push hard

33. Try with all your might

Definition: Using your absolute maximum physical or mental strength to succeed.

Used in a Sentence: He tried with all his might to push the heavy boulder. / She tried with all her might to reach the top shelf.

Similar Expressions: Maximum effort / Full strength

34. Give it your best shot

Definition: To make a sincere and honest attempt at a difficult task.

Used in a Sentence: Even if you lose, as long as you give it your best shot, we are proud. / He stepped up to the plate and gave it his best shot.

Similar Expressions: Try your best / Honest attempt

35. Make a valiant effort

Definition: To try bravely and honorably, even if the task is very tough.

Used in a Sentence: Our small team made a valiant effort against the older players. / She made a valiant effort to solve the tricky riddle.

Similar Expressions: Brave try / Honorable attempt

36. Leave it on the field

Definition: A sports phrase meaning to try so hard that you have no energy left.

Used in a Sentence: The coach told us to leave it on the field during the second half. / Playing soccer requires you to leave it on the field.

Similar Expressions: Exhaust effort / Give everything

37. Scale new heights

Definition: To try hard and achieve greater success than ever before.

Used in a Sentence: With extra practice, our debate team hopes to scale new heights. / Hard work helps students scale new heights in learning.

Similar Expressions: Reach higher / Achieve more

38. Dig deep down

Definition: To search for hidden courage and effort when feeling tired.

Used in a Sentence: During the last lap of the race, I had to dig deep down. / He dug deep down to find the answer to the final question.

Similar Expressions: Find strength / Push through

39. Put your shoulder to the plow

Definition: To commit yourself to a long and demanding period of hard work.

Used in a Sentence: Studying for final exams means putting your shoulder to the plow. / We put our shoulder to the plow to finish the farm chores.

Similar Expressions: Commit to work / Labor steadily

40. Fire on all cylinders

Definition: To try using your maximum mental or physical energy simultaneously.

Used in a Sentence: Everyone was firing on all cylinders during the science presentation. / When you get enough sleep, your brain fires on all cylinders.

Similar Expressions: Maximum focus / Full power

41. Leave nothing behind

Definition: To put forth complete effort without holding anything back.

Used in a Sentence: The runners sprinted toward the finish line, leaving nothing behind. / Put your heart into the test and leave nothing behind.

Similar Expressions: Total effort / Full commitment

42. Work your fingers to the bone

Definition: To try so hard at physical labor that your hands ache from effort.

Used in a Sentence: Mom worked her fingers to the bone to make our birthday party special. / He worked his fingers to the bone weeding the garden.

Similar Expressions: Labor hard / Exhaust yourself

43. Pull out the stops

Definition: To use all your energy and resources to achieve a goal.

Used in a Sentence: The school band pulled out all the stops for the spring concert. / We pulled out all the stops to win the quiz bowl.

Similar Expressions: Use all energy / Maximum push

44. Push past your limits

Definition: To try harder than you ever thought possible to achieve success.

Used in a Sentence: Training for a marathon requires you to push past your limits. / She pushed past her limits to finish the painting on time.

Similar Expressions: Exceed bounds / Overcome limits

45. Give it a crack

Definition: A playful way to say you are going to try a new task.

Used in a Sentence: Fixing the bicycle chain looked confusing, but I decided to give it a crack. / If you want to bake bread, give it a crack.

Similar Expressions: Attempt task / Try out

46. Pour your heart into it

Definition: To try with deep emotional care, passion, and maximum effort.

Used in a Sentence: She poured her heart into playing the violin solo. / When you write a poem, pour your heart into it.

Similar Expressions: Passionate effort / Care deeply

47. Put your shoulder behind it

Definition: To add your personal effort to help a group project succeed.

Used in a Sentence: If we all put our shoulder behind it, the club fundraiser will succeed. / He put his shoulder behind the cleanup effort.

Similar Expressions: Help out / Add effort

48. Go all out

Definition: To try with maximum speed, energy, and commitment.

Used in a Sentence: The sprinters went all out as soon as the whistle blew. / We decided to go all out for our history project display.

Similar Expressions: Maximum speed / Total effort

49. Put your head down

Definition: To stop talking and focus intensely on working hard.

Used in a Sentence: It was time to put his head down and finish his math homework. / She put her head down and studied for the spelling bee.

Similar Expressions: Focus hard / Work quietly

50. Give a good account of yourself

Definition: To try your best and perform honorably in a competition or test.

Used in a Sentence: Even if you do not win, make sure you give a good account of yourself. / The debate team gave a good account of themselves at regionals.

Similar Expressions: Perform well / Try honorably

Exercise to Practice

1. The soccer team promised to give it their all during the championship game.
2. We had to put our shoulder to the wheel to finish the treehouse while flying a spaceship to Mars.
3. She always goes the extra mile to help classmates with their artwork.
4. He had to burn the midnight oil to finish his science fair board while eating a green cloud.
5. The detective left no stone unturned to solve the playground mystery.
6. My grades were dropping, so I knew I had to pull my socks up.
7. We rolled up our sleeves to clean out the messy garage while painting our dog purple.
8. I had never played tennis before, but I decided to give it a whirl.
9. Exams are coming, so we need to put our nose to the grindstone.
10. We had to sweat blood to finish building the giant stage prop while swimming in outer space.
11. The sprinters went all out as soon as the whistle blew.
12. She poured her heart into playing the violin solo while turning into a tree.
13. It was time to put his head down and finish his math homework.
14. Training for a marathon requires you to push past your limits.
15. Climbing the rock wall looked scary, but I decided to give it a go while melting into ice cream.

Answer Key

1. True
2. False
3. True
4. False
5. True
6. True
7. False
8. True
9. True
10. False
11. True
12. False
13. True
14. True
15. False

Conclusion

Learning these idioms helps you talk about hard work and effort in a colorful and encouraging way. When you use creative words, your stories and talks about perseverance become much more engaging.

Try using one or two of these expressions the next time you tackle a tough assignment or write a story at school. You will see how exciting it is to bring your everyday language to life!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common idioms for trying?

Some popular idioms for trying include give it your all, roll up your sleeves, and go the extra mile. People use these expressions to talk about putting forth maximum effort, working hard, and giving their best in daily life.

Why do we use idioms in English?

Idioms make our language much more colorful and interesting than plain words alone. They help us share feelings and pictures in our minds quickly and clearly.

How can I learn more idioms easily?

You can learn new idioms by reading fun stories, listening to how people talk, and practicing them in your own sentences. Writing down your favorite phrases in a notebook is also a great way to remember them.

Are idioms used in everyday speech?

Yes, people use idioms every day when talking with friends, family, and classmates. They help make ordinary conversations sound lively and engaging.

Can idioms have more than one meaning?

Most idioms have one main accepted meaning, but people can use them in different fun contexts. Always check the definition and sample sentences to make sure you use the phrase correctly.