college try

American  

noun

1. Informal. maximum effort for success on behalf of one's group, team, alma mater, etc. (usually preceded by the phrasethe old ).

   We may not make the deadline, but we'll give it the old college try.

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Etymology

Origin of college try

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

But lately, growing numbers of preretirees and retirees are giving it the old college try.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

Cassidy gave the suck-up routine the old college try, but ultimately, the snake did its snake thing.

From Slate • Jan. 21, 2026

When supervisors at her college try to comfort Agnes, their solace is hollow.

From Salon • Jul. 28, 2025

Given one more college try, Kelly will get another chance to live up to his championship pledge.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 27, 2023

Probably he had said to someone to give something the old college try, and that had finished him; that would probably be grounds for expulsion at Harvard.

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles