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old college try

noun

Etymology

From the ambitiousness of college athletes. Earliest known use from 1914. Said to have been coined by John McGraw, manager of the New York Giants from 1902–1932 (see citation from 1917).

Definitions

  1. A vigorous, committed attempt or effort, often in the context of a nearly hopeless…

    A vigorous, committed attempt or effort, often in the context of a nearly hopeless situation where failure is expected.

    • Those who have seen Ruth make the "old college try" understand that some professionals play with a spiritual fervor which is supposed to be the amateur's prerogative.
    • Reeve gives his role the old college try—fervent amateurism.
    • "You know, all I can do is go out there and give it the old college try and play my hardest."

The neighborhood

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sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA