old college try
(Redirected from give it the old college try)
English
editEtymology
editFrom 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
editold college try (plural old college tries)
- (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
edit- Often used in the expression give it the old college try.