If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
Meaning in plain English
The saying answers an initial lack of success with repeated trying. It treats a first setback as a reason to consider another attempt rather than a final verdict.
Example
A learner identifies what went wrong and practises a revised approach instead of merely repeating the error.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
Try, try gives the instruction emphasis without describing a method. A useful application can learn from the result and change the next attempt. The phrase does not guarantee eventual success or require continuing when the cost or circumstances make stopping sensible.
When to use it
Use it to discuss another considered attempt with learning from feedback.
Keep in mind
Repetition alone does not guarantee success, and stopping can be reasonable.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Country attributed by the collection
United States · source-attributed; earliest origin unverified
- Source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 224; PDF page 36
Reuse and collection notes ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · supplied collection
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
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