Meaning & use
give your best effort
Last updated
UK/ˌɡɪv jɔː ˌbest ˈefət/
US/ˌɡɪv jʊr ˌbest ˈefərt/
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
to try as hard as you can, even if you do not succeed
Grammar: Your can change to my, his, her, our, or their: give his best effort.
Patterns
- give your best effort
- give your best effort to something
- give it your best effort
Just give your best effort and don't worry about the result.
She gave her best effort in every race, even when she was injured.
The coach told the team to give their best effort in the final match.
Common combinations
- give your best effort to
- You should give your best effort to every task you start.
- give it your best effort
- It's a hard exam, but just give it your best effort.
- give your best effort in
- He gave his best effort in the interview.
Synonyms and how they differ
- do your best
- More common in everyday speech and slightly less formal than give your best effort.
- put in maximum effort
- More formal and often used about work or training rather than a single attempt.
Opposites
give upnot try
Word family
- best effort noun
- A serious attempt, often used in business: 'We'll make a best effort to deliver on time.'
Commonly confused: give your best effort or give your best?
give your best effort vs give your best
This is not standard English; say give your best effort or do your best.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
We usually say give your best effort on an exam or test. To is used with tasks: give your best effort to the project.
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