Phrase guide

take a stab at

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To attempt or try.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Would you like to take a stab at explaining the theory?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: take a crack at, take a run at, give something a go, give something a try

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To guess about.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • I'll take a stab at the answer, but I don't really know for sure.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see take, stab.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.