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  • If at first you don't succeed, try, try again
    If at first you don't succeed, try, try again
    Keep trying.
  • if at first you don't succeed, try, try again
    if at first you don't succeed, try, try again
    Don't let a first-time failure stop further attempts. For example, I know it's hard at first to shift gears without stalling but if at first you don't succeed. . . This seemingly ancient adage was first recorded only in 1840 but has become so well known that it is often shortened.

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again

Cultural  
  1. Keep trying.


if at first you don't succeed, try, try again Idioms  
  1. Don't let a first-time failure stop further attempts. For example, I know it's hard at first to shift gears without stalling but if at first you don't succeed. . . This seemingly ancient adage was first recorded only in 1840 but has become so well known that it is often shortened.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Let this be a lesson to us all: If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

From Washington Post Jul. 24, 2021

To the parents of picky eaters, Dr. Birch offered the adage those mothers and fathers might recite to their children in another context: If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

From Washington Post Jun. 12, 2019

It’s just like the old saying goes: If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again — and maybe get Nancy Pelosi involved.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 26, 2016

Fields' rule: If at first you don't succeed, try, try again: if after that, you still don't succeed, forget it.

From Time Magazine Archive

Bear in mind the old, familiar motto, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."

From Certain Success by Hawkins, Norval A.

I think a lot of times people give up easily and, you know, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 2, 2025

If pluck will make you win, I am sure you will carry it through, but if at first you don't succeed, try, try again; and if you haven't the money, I'll supply the capital.

From Jennie Baxter, Journalist by Barr, Robert

"And if at first you don't succeed, try, try again, Aunt Jannet!" laughed Blair.

From White Fire by Oxenham, John

"Try to go to bed; and if at first you don't succeed, try, try again."

From The Cardinal's Snuff-Box by Harland, Henry

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