It is not for want of trying ❌🤔👍
Meaning
This phrase indicates that a lack of success is not due to a lack of effort or attempts made.
Origin
The roots of this phrase trace back to the idea of 'want' meaning 'lack'. So, 'not for want of trying' literally means 'not because there was a lack of trying'. It entered common English usage centuries ago, likely appearing in various forms in literature before solidifying into its current iteration. Think of historical accounts where someone might have faced defeat, but the narrator emphasized their diligent efforts, stating the failure wasn't from an absence of trying, but perhaps bad luck or insurmountable odds. The phrase captures that very human desire to be recognized for effort, even in the face of failure.
It is not for want of trying represented with emoji❌🤔👍
This playful arrangement of symbols functions as a whimsical reminder that even with a valiant effort (❌), contemplation (🤔), and ultimately, a positive outcome (👍), the journey is far from easy.
Examples
- We didn't get the contract, but it is not for want of trying on our part.
- The cake is a bit lopsided, but it is not for want of trying to get the measurements just right.
- My pet dragon still hasn't learned to fly, but it is not for want of trying to flap his little wings.
- The robot can't quite fold laundry yet, but it is not for want of trying to iron out the wrinkles.
Frequently asked questions
The phrase 'it is not for want of trying' functions as an idiom. Idioms are phrases whose meaning cannot be deduced from the literal meaning of the words, which is the case here as 'want' means 'lack'.
The opposite of 'it is not for want of trying' would be a phrase indicating failure due to a lack of effort, such as 'they didn't even try' or 'it was their own fault for not trying harder'.
While the phrase primarily emphasizes the presence of effort, it can sometimes imply that the *quality* or *method* of trying was insufficient, even if the quantity of attempts was high. The core meaning is that the failure wasn't due to simply giving up or not attempting at all.
The exact person who first coined 'it is not for want of trying' is unknown, but its origins are deeply rooted in older English usage where 'want' signified 'lack'. The phrase evolved organically over centuries to express that failure wasn't caused by a deficit in effort.