English

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Etymology

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From the ambitiousness of college athletes. Earliest known use from 1914. Perhaps popularized by a 1917 sermon of the same name by preacher and professional baseball player Billy Sunday (see citations).

Noun

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old college try (plural old college tries)

  1. (informal) A vigorous, committed attempt or effort, often in the context of a nearly hopeless situation where failure is expected.
    • 1929, Munsey's Magazine, volume 96, number 3, page 355:
      Those who have seen Ruth make the "old college try" understand that some professionals play with a spiritual fervor which is supposed to be the amateur's prerogative.
    • 1980, T. E. Kalem, "Happy Hangover" (theatre review of Fifth of July), Time, 17 Nov.:
      Reeve gives his role the old college try—fervent amateurism.
    • 2003 April 6, Keith Parsons, “Janzen takes two-shot lead in BellSouth Classic”, in USA Today, retrieved 16 Aug. 2009:
      "You know, all I can do is go out there and give it the old college try and play my hardest."

Usage notes

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  • Often used in the expression give it the old college try.

See also

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