What does "Try your luck" mean?

To make an attempt despite uncertain chances of success. To give something a go even when success isn't guaranteed. Implies willingness to take a chance.

How do you use "Try your luck" in a sentence?

I thought I'd try my luck at the lottery. Why not try your luck with the job application? She decided to try her luck in Hollywood.

Try your luck

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: To make an attempt despite uncertain chances of success.

尽管成功机会不确定，还是尝试一下。

Intentar algo a pesar de las posibilidades inciertas de éxito.

成功する可能性が不確かでも挑戦すること。

성공 가능성이 불확실해도 시도하다, 운을 시험해 보다.

To give something a go even when success isn't guaranteed. Implies willingness to take a chance.

即使不能保证成功也试一试。表示愿意冒险一试。

Probar algo aunque el éxito no esté garantizado. Implica disposición a arriesgarse.

成功が保証されていなくてもやってみること。チャンスを掴もうとする意志を示す。

성공이 보장되지 않더라도 한번 해보는 것. 기꺼이 모험을 감수하겠다는 의미를 내포한다.

Literal meaning: Test your fortune

Examples

I thought I'd try my luck at the lottery.
我想试试买彩票碰碰运气
Pensé en probar suerte con la lotería
宝くじで運試しをしようと思った
복권으로 운을 시험해 보려고 했다.
Why not try your luck with the job application?
何不申请这份工作碰碰运气？
¿Por qué no pruebas suerte con la solicitud de empleo?
その求人に応募してみたら？
그 채용 공고에 한번 지원해 보는 게 어때?
She decided to try her luck in Hollywood.
她决定去好莱坞碰碰运气
Decidió probar suerte en Hollywood
彼女はハリウッドで運を試すことにした
그녀는 할리우드에서 운을 시험해 보기로 했다.

Pronunciation

/traɪ jɔː lʌk/

Usage Guide

Context: attempting, taking chances, gambling

Tone: hopeful, casual

✓ Do Say

I'll try my luck.
我来碰碰运气
Probaré suerte
運を試してみる
운을 시험해 볼게
Try your luck.
试试运气吧
Prueba suerte
やってみたら
한번 해 봐
Tried my luck.
碰了碰运气
Probé suerte
運を試してみた
운을 시험해 봤어

✗ Don't Say

Make an attempt
Make an attempt（尝试一下）
Make an attempt（Hacer un intento）
Make an attempt（挑戦する）
Make an attempt (시도하다)
Take a chance
Take a chance（抓住机会）
Take a chance（Arriesgarse）
Take a chance（チャンスを掴む）
Take a chance (기회를 잡다)

Common Mistakes

Very common expression
Implies some uncertainty about outcome

Origin & History

From gambling—testing your fortune.

Etymology: English idiom

First recorded: Traditional

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Gambling culture; Common expression

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking world.

Variations

Try your luckTry my luckTried their luck