Synonyms and antonyms of To try hard to do or get something in British Thesaurus

boil the ocean ()

to try to do something that is very difficult or impossible, especially when starting something

work (verb)

to spend time trying to achieve something, especially when this involves using a lot of effort

strive (verb)

to make a lot of effort to achieve something

try (verb)

to attempt to do something

attempt (verb)

to try to do something

struggle (verb)

to try hard to do something that you find very difficult

strain (verb)

to try very hard to do something

push for ()

to try hard to get or achieve something

press for ()

to try in a determined way to achieve something

go after ()

to try to get something that other people are also competing for

be at pains to do something ()

to try very hard to do something

be gunning for something ()

to try to get something, for example a job or prize

bite off more than you can chew ()

to try to do too much or something that is too hard for you

break sweat ()

to use a lot of energy or effort

bust a gut ()

to try extremely hard to achieve something

chance your arm/luck ()

to decide to try to do something even though it may be dangerous or you may not succeed

chase (verb)

to try hard to get something you want such as a job, prize, or money

chase down ()

to try hard to catch someone or to get something that you need

chase rainbows ()

to try to get something that you can never have

clutch/grasp at straws ()

to try to find anything at all that will help you or give you hope in a difficult situation, when it is likely that you will find nothing

compete (verb)

to try to get something that other people also want to have

court (verb)

to make special efforts to get something that will benefit you

do something for all you’re worth ()

to do something with as much effort as you can

do/try your best ()

to try as hard as you can in order to achieve something

do/try your utmost (to do something) ()

to try as hard as possible

do your best/utmost ()

to try as hard as you can

do your damnedest ()

to make your best effort to do something

endeavour (verb)

formal to try very hard to do something

fight (verb)

to try in a very determined way to achieve something

get your teeth into something ()

to put a lot of your time and energy into something that is interesting because it needs a lot of effort and skill

give (verb)

to attempt to do something

give (verb)

if you give yourself to something, you use all your time and energy to do it

give a hundred per cent ()

to try or work as hard as you can in order to achieve something

go all out ()

to use all your energy, strength, and determination in order to achieve something

go all out (to do something/for something) ()

to try as hard as you can to achieve something

go at someone ()

to do something with a lot of enthusiasm or energy

go for broke ()

to try as hard as you can to get or achieve something, even if this involves taking risks or doing dangerous things

go for it (informal)

informal to try to get something that you have to compete for

go/move into overdrive ()

to become very active or excited, usually more than is necessary or healthy

go out of your way to do something ()

to make an extra effort to do something even though it is not convenient or easy to do

go the extra mile ()

to make a special extra effort in order to achieve something

go the whole hog ()

to do something in a very thorough or enthusiastic way

go to great/extreme/any etc lengths ()

to try in a very determined or unreasonable way to achieve something

go to/take great pains ()

to do something with a lot of care or effort

go to the ends of the earth ()

to put a lot of effort into something, especially when there are problems or difficulties

grasp at ()

to try and take the opportunity to do something

hammer away at ()

to do something with great energy and with all your attention

have a bash (informal)

informal to try to do something

have a go ()

to take action yourself to stop someone who is committing a crime, instead of calling the police

have/take a pop at (informal)

informal if you have or take a pop at something, you try to do it

jockey (verb)

to try to gain an advantage over your opponents, or to get something that other people are trying to get

jump through hoops ()

to perform a series of difficult tests to show that you are suitable for something

labour (verb)

to put a lot of effort into achieving something

make a go of something ()

to try your best to make something successful

make a play for something ()

to try and get something such as an important job or position

make it your business to do something ()

to make an effort to do something because you think it is important

make the/an effort (to do something) ()

to do something even though you do not want to or you find it difficult

move heaven and earth (to do something) ()

to do everything that it is possible to do in order to make something happen

move mountains ()

to do something so difficult that it seems almost impossible

press for ()

to try in a determined way to get something from someone

pull/get your finger out ()

to start to make more effort

pull out all the stops ()

to make a big effort so that something happens or is successful

pursue (verb)

to try to achieve something

pursue (verb)

to try to reach a solution or decision

put up ()

to make a particular effort in order to achieve or prevent something

put up a good/brave fight ()

to try in a determined way to achieve something even though you do not succeed

put your heart into something ()

to do something with a lot of effort

reach for the stars ()

to try to achieve a very difficult aim

redouble your efforts ()

to try even harder than before to do something

regroup (verb)

mainly journalism to prepare to make a new attempt to achieve something after having failed or been stopped

school (verb)

formal to make yourself do something difficult

see if/whether you can do something ()

to try to do something

seek to do something ()

to try to do something

shoot for ()

to try to achieve a particular thing

spare no effort ()

to do everything that is necessary to make something succeed

specialize (verb)

to concentrate your attention and effort on a particular activity, product etc

stick at nothing ()

to do whatever is necessary, even something illegal, in order to achieve your aim

stop at nothing ()

to do anything to get what you want, even if it is very bad

trouble to do something ()

to make an effort to do something that you should do

try for ()

to attempt to get or achieve something difficult or something that you want very much

try to run before you can walk ()

to try to achieve something very difficult immediately, without first doing more basic things

try/use every trick in the book ()

to try or to use every possible method in order to achieve something

turn on ()

to make a deliberate effort to use a special quality that you have in order to achieve something

work/laugh/run etc your socks off ()

to do something with a lot of energy or effort

work towards ()

to do things that help you to make progress towards something that you want to achieve