What does “give it a good go” mean?

When you “give something a good go,” you make a real, honest effort — not just a small try. The phrase is common in Australian and British English. You might use it about learning a new skill, playing a sport for the first time, or trying something you have not done before. The word “good” shows the effort is real, not lazy. People often use the phrase to encourage someone, or to praise them after they try.

In the clip, a hairdressing instructor watches a room full of dads trying to braid and plait their daughters' hair for the first time. She says: “They are giving it a really good go, and I’m so proud of them all.” She is not saying the plaits are perfect — she is praising the effort. That is the key feeling behind this phrase: effort matters more than the result. You can use it in many situations. “She gave the job interview a good go.” “I gave cooking Thai food a good go, but it needed more work.” The phrase also works as an invitation: “Give it a go!” means “try it!” — without the word “good,” but with the same idea of encouraging someone to try something new.