akira_s
have a go I got a new idiom today. "To have a go at someone" means to criticize someone. Hmm...... I wonder why a combination "have" and "go" creates "criticize"? I can not find out any relation at all.
Oct 4, 2017 1:57 AM
Answers · 6
1
This is just a guess, but I think it refers to when people are arguing back and forth. So if you're having a go, it's kind of like you're "having a turn" at criticizing that person?
October 4, 2017
Hi Akira, To 'go at someone' means to attack them. 'Have a go' is British English, and in British English, it's common to see 'have a...' For example: Have a bite = eat something; have a laugh = joke around / have fun.
October 4, 2017
Thank you for your comment jerry-san. In your example, "have a go" seems to mean just "do". So "have a go" includes all meaning of "do" depending on contexts? If so, it looks difficult for me to identify.( There is a word which works similarly in Japanese and it is difficult to explain how such word works to Japanese learners.)
October 4, 2017
This is not a BrE - only idiom and the meaning is not always about attacking someone or something. Ex: My friend is chopping down a tree but is too weak to do it. I can say: "Here, let me have a go at it.
October 4, 2017
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