college try

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of college try¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Maybe time had to work its magic to find a place where the baby face ended and the smolder began; they could not exist as one, though he certainly gave it the college try.

From Salon

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

From Salon

Newcomer Brandon Routh gave rebooting the hero the old college try in 2006’s “Superman Returns,” but the romance-forward nature of the film ironically left audiences cold.

From Salon

It’s hard even to keep up with the death toll in the Palestinian territories, but you can certainly give it a college try.

From Salon

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

From Los Angeles Times