try it on
idiom
British, informal
1
: to behave badly so that someone becomes annoyed or angry
—often + with
Don't take any notice of him—he's only trying it on with you.
2
: to try to start a sexual relationship with someone
—often + with
He tried it on with a girl at the pub.
Examples of try it on in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Or, hey, why not try it on a Pineapple and Mayonnaise Sandwich?
—
Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025
Google Search’s chatbot is no longer opt-in The search chatbot used to be opt-in, but now Google will try it on normal users.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 19 Mar. 2024
The only way to know if a repellent will work for you is to try it on yourself in your environment, against your bugs.
—Kristin Canning, WIRED, 14 Oct. 2024
For a unique twist — trust me here — try it on a slice of watermelon.
—Natasha Fischer, Contributor, CNBC, 17 July 2024
Opt for ultra-flatting baby blue, and if you’re not used to wearing a statement color on your nails, try it on your toes first as a practice run.
—Georgia Day, Vogue, 28 June 2024
The tangy sauce is a delight on salmon, but feel free to try it on chicken and shrimp as well.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2024
The team displayed the prototype at a high school fair, and a young amputee named Ernest Priester, 13, asked to try it on.
—Lizzie Hyman, Peoplemag, 10 Oct. 2023
Consumers want to be able to touch and feel the product and try it on.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Sep. 2023
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025
Google Search’s chatbot is no longer opt-in The search chatbot used to be opt-in, but now Google will try it on normal users.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 19 Mar. 2024
The only way to know if a repellent will work for you is to try it on yourself in your environment, against your bugs.
—Kristin Canning, WIRED, 14 Oct. 2024
For a unique twist — trust me here — try it on a slice of watermelon.
—Natasha Fischer, Contributor, CNBC, 17 July 2024
Opt for ultra-flatting baby blue, and if you’re not used to wearing a statement color on your nails, try it on your toes first as a practice run.
—Georgia Day, Vogue, 28 June 2024
The tangy sauce is a delight on salmon, but feel free to try it on chicken and shrimp as well.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2024
The team displayed the prototype at a high school fair, and a young amputee named Ernest Priester, 13, asked to try it on.
—Lizzie Hyman, Peoplemag, 10 Oct. 2023
Consumers want to be able to touch and feel the product and try it on.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Sep. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Try it on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/try%20it%20on. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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