trial and error

trial and error

A process of determining the correct way in which to do something by making multiple attempts and learning from any possible failures or mistakes. Hyphenated if used as a modifier before a noun. I didn't have any instructions for reassembling the machine, so it was just a case of trial and error until I got it right. You take a trial-and-error approach to this issue—we need to make sure we get it right the first time!
See also: and, error, trial
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

trial and error

trying repeatedly for success. I finally found the right key after lots of trial and error. Sometimes trial and error is the only way to get something done.
See also: and, error, trial
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

trial and error

An attempt to accomplish something by trying various means until the correct one is found. for example, The only way to solve this problem is by trial and error. The error here alludes to the failed means or attempts, which are discarded until the right way is found. [c. 1800]
See also: and, error, trial
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

trial and error

the process of experimenting with various methods of doing something until you find the most successful.
See also: and, error, trial
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • error
  • by trial and error
  • if you don't make mistakes, you don't make anything
  • key to
  • key to (something)
  • to err is human
  • to err is human (to forgive is divine)
  • to err is human, to forgive divine
  • divine
  • (it) happens to the best of us
References in periodicals archive
Aeschleman and Higgins (1982) reported no significant differences in trials to criterion between stimulus fading, progressive time delay, and trial and error. Error correction had fewer trials followed by progressive delay, and finally, stimulus fading had the most trials in the McGee and McCoy (1981) investigation.
Review of comparative studies in the interaction of students with moderate and severe handicaps
Profile dies, however, are still mainly designed by trial and error using methods that have changed little over the past 40 years.
Computer flow analysis helps develop new profile dies faster
Boris Lukezic, Amcan engineering manager, estimated that the company would have had 3% scrap due to porosity if it followed traditional trial and error methods.
Process modeling solves die design problems, saves more than $100,000. (Case History)
For most of the history of rubber as an engineering material, its applications have largely been developed by trial and error. Prototypes are made for testing, results of which are used to alter designs, as modified prototypes are further tested until acceptable products emerge.
A more advanced way to designing rubber products
It was unrealistic to attempt this by trial and error. We would have had to make a small change to the tool, set it in the press, run a few samples to see the effect, then repeat the process until we got it right.
Flow analysis gets it right the first time
There's no room left today for tedious and time-consuming trial and error," Perdikoulias says.
Virtual thermoforming: ready for prime time?