if at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again

if at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again
The short poem Try (try) again was often quoted in nineteenth-century children’s literature, especially in the United States (see quot. 1840). It is popularly attributed to W. E. Hickson, who quoted it (with three try’s) in his Moral Songs (1857) p. 8, but Palmer’s use is earlier. The saying was soon used independently as a proverb.

1840 T. H. PALMER Teacher’s Manual 223 ’Tis a lesson you should heed, Try, try again. If at first you do n’t succeed, Try, try again.

1915 E. B. HOLT Freudian Wish iii. The child is frustrated, but not instructed; and it is in the situation where, later on in life, we say to ourselves, ‘If at first you don’t succeed, Try, try, try again!’

a 1979 A. CHRISTIE Miss Marple’s Final Cases 39 You mustn’t give up, Mr. Rossiter, ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again.’

2001 Washington Times 3 Aug. A17 John F. Harris reports, ‘Bill Clinton this week will begin a second attempt at beginning his ex-presidency.’ (If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.)


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  • If at first you don't succeed, try, try, and try again. — If at first you don t succeed, (try, try, and try again). something that you say in order to tell someone they must keep trying in order to achieve something. My novel has been rejected by three publishers already. Still, if at first you don t… …   New idioms dictionary

  • if at first you don't succeed, (try, try, and try again) — if at first you don’t succeed, (try, try, and try again) phrase used for telling someone not to stop trying if they do not achieve what they want the first time Thesaurus: ways of encouraging or telling someone to do somethingsynonym Main entry:… …   Useful english dictionary

  • if at first you don't succeed try try again — When you fail, try until you get it right! …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • If at first you don't succeed. — If at first you don t succeed, (try, try, and try again). something that you say in order to tell someone they must keep trying in order to achieve something. My novel has been rejected by three publishers already. Still, if at first you don t… …   New idioms dictionary

  • you know what they say — informal used to introduce a common saying or a statement that expresses a common belief Keep trying, and you ll figure it out. You know what they say: if at first you don t succeed, try, try again. • • • Main Entry: ↑know …   Useful english dictionary

  • succeed */*/*/ — UK [səkˈsiːd] / US [səkˈsɪd] verb Word forms succeed : present tense I/you/we/they succeed he/she/it succeeds present participle succeeding past tense succeeded past participle succeeded 1) a) [intransitive] to achieve something that you planned… …   English dictionary

  • succeed — 01. If at first you don t [succeed], try, try again. 02. His [success] is entirely due to his hard work. 03. He has been very [successful] in business, and his company is now worth millions. 04. The former champion has been [unsuccessful] in a… …   Grammatical examples in English

  • succeed — suc|ceed [ sək sid ] verb *** 1. ) intransitive to achieve something that you planned to do or attempted to do: We all want to make the peace process succeed. succeed in (doing) something: We finally succeeded in getting Marjorie up the stairs. a …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • try — see you never know what you can do till you try if at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again …   Proverbs new dictionary

  • first — see first catch your hare first come, first served the first duty of a soldier is obedience first impressions are the most lasting on the first of March, the crows begin to search it is the first step that is difficult …   Proverbs new dictionary

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