Try sth on Meaning & Examples: How to Use This Phrasal Verb

What Does “Try sth on” Mean?

“Try sth on” means to put on clothes or accessories to see if they fit or look good before buying them. It can also mean to pretend or test a reaction.

Introduction

The phrase “Try sth on” is a common phrasal verb used mainly when talking about clothing or accessories. It helps express the action of putting something on temporarily to check the fit, style, or comfort. People often use this phrase when shopping in stores or when deciding whether to keep or return an item. Besides its literal meaning, “try sth on” can also mean to test or pretend, such as trying on a new attitude or behavior. Understanding the “Try sth on meaning” will help you use it correctly in different everyday situations.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: Try something on
• Type: Transitive
• Level: A2
• Short meaning: To put on clothes to check the fit or style

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Try sth on” is a separable phrasal verb. You can place the object (something) between “try” and “on,” or after “on.”

• I want to try the jacket on.
• I want to try on the jacket.

Both structures are correct and commonly used.

How to Use Try sth on?

Use “try sth on” when you want to talk about testing clothes or accessories by putting them on. It can also be used metaphorically to describe testing ideas, behaviors, or attitudes.

In shopping, it’s the most common way to talk about checking if something fits before buying it.

Examples

When you go shopping for clothes, you often want to make sure they fit well. So, you might say:

• “I’m going to try this dress on before buying it.”
• “She tried on several pairs of shoes yesterday.”
• “Can I try on this hat?”
• “He tried on a new style to see if people liked it.”
• “Try sth on in a sentence: I tried on the coat, but it was too small.”

Common Mistakes

Sometimes learners confuse the position of the object or forget the preposition “on.”

• Incorrect: “I try the dress.”
• Correct: “I try the dress on.”
• Incorrect: “She tried on the.”
• Correct: “She tried the shoes on.”

Remember, “try” alone does not mean putting on clothes. You need “try on.”

Differences / Synonyms

Similar phrasal verbs include “put on” and “take off.”

• Put on: To wear clothes or accessories (usually permanently or for some time).
• Try on: To wear clothes temporarily to check fit or look.
• Take off: To remove clothes or accessories.

“Try on” focuses on testing, while “put on” is about the act of wearing.

Common Collocations

We often use “try sth on” with specific clothing and accessories. Here are some common collocations:

• Try on a dress: To check if a dress fits well.
• Try on shoes: To see if shoes are comfortable and the right size.
• Try on a hat: To see how a hat looks or fits.
• Try on glasses: To check if glasses suit your face.
• Try on a jacket: To see if a jacket fits or looks good.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of try sth on:

• Try For Sth
• Try Sb Out
• Try Sth Out

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation using “try sth on”:

Anna: This shirt looks nice. Can I try it on?

Shop assistant: Of course! The fitting rooms are over there.

Anna: Thanks! I want to see if it fits well.

Practice

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrasal verb:

• I want to ________ this jacket ________ before I buy it.
• She ________ on three pairs of shoes yesterday.
• Can I ________ this hat ________?

FAQ

• What does “try sth on” mean? It means to put on clothes or accessories to check the fit or style.
• Can “try on” be used metaphorically? Yes, it can mean testing an idea or behavior.
• Is “try sth on” separable? Yes, you can put the object between “try” and “on” or after “on.”
• What is a common mistake with “try on”? Forgetting to include “on” or incorrect word order.
• How is “try on” different from “put on”? “Try on” is temporary to check fit; “put on” means to wear something.