a crack at (someone or something)

a crack at (someone or something)

1. slang An attempt to do something; a turn trying (to do) something. Well, I haven't fixed a motor in nearly 10 years, but I'll certainly take a crack at it. You had your chance, now let your brother have a crack at breaking the piñata. Give Sarah a crack at the equation. I bet she can solve it!
2. slang An attempt to get someone to do something. Let the boss have a crack at Ray—he'll get him to tell us what he knows. A: "The boss said there's no way he will authorize an increase in our budget." B: "Let me take a crack at him. Maybe I can convince him otherwise."
3. slang An attempt to best, defeat, or assault someone. Watching him smile that smug, self-important smile, I thought to myself how much I'd love to have a crack at him—one on one, with nothing but our fists! A: "This doesn't seem like any ordinary thief. He's always one step ahead of us." B: "Give me a crack at him, Chief. I think I can bring him in." She made a name for herself as one of the best racers in the world in the span of just one year. Now, every professional worth their salt wants a crack at her.
See also: crack
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • a whack at (something)
  • a/the feel of (something)
  • (I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you
  • all righty
  • a thing of the past
  • a straw will show which way the wind blows
  • (you've) got to get up pretty early in the morning to (do something)
  • a ghost at the feast
  • all right
  • (you) wanna make something of it?