try on for size

English

Verb

try on for size (third-person singular simple present tries on for size, present participle trying on for size, simple past and past participle tried on for size)

1. (transitive, literally) To test an item of clothing by wearing it, to determine if it is the correct size.
2. (transitive, figuratively) To test something for suitability.
3. (transitive, figuratively) To ponder or consider an idea.
   • 2023 October 22, HarryBlank, “Waiting to Happen”, in SCP Foundation‎^[1], archived from the original on 23 May 2024:

     "Cool. So obviously that's your outfit's kinda thing, but try this on for size on top of it: I did not forget. I still haven't."

4. (transitive, figuratively, chiefly used in the imperative) To receive an imminent attack.
   • 1999, Mona the Vampire, "The X-Change Student" (season 1, episode 6a):

     Mona: Try this vampire bolt on for size!

Alternative forms

• try for size (UK)

Further reading

• “try something on for size”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
• “try something on for size”, in Collins English Dictionary.