crack atsomeone

*a try at someone & *a shot at someone & *a crack atsomeone & *a go at someone & *a stab at someone

an attempt to convince someone of something; an attempt to try to get information out of someone; an attempt to try to train someone to do something. (The expressions with

shot

and

crack

are more informal than the main entry phrase. (*Typically: take \crack atsomeone; have \crack atsomeone; give someone \crack atsomeone.) •

Let me have a crack at him. I can make him talk.

•

Let the new teacher have a try at Billy. She can do marvels with unwilling learners.

•

Give me a crack at him. I know how to make these bums talk.