Give It a Burl Meaning: The Aussie Way of Saying Just Try It
The office printer was jammed again. Carlos had opened every tray, pulled out every scrap of paper he could see, and pressed every button twice. Nothing. He was about to give up and call IT when Mike from the warehouse wandered over. “What’s the go? Printer playing up?” Carlos sighed. “It keeps jamming. I don’t know what else to do.” Mike pointed at the back panel. “Have you tried opening that? Sometimes paper gets stuck in there.” Carlos hesitated — he did not want to make things worse. Mike grinned. “Give it a burl. Worst case, it’s already broken.”
Two minutes later, the printer was working perfectly. And Carlos had learned one of the most encouraging phrases in Australian English.
What Does “Give It a Burl” Mean?
“Give it a burl” simply means give it a try. Have a go. Take a shot at it. The word “burl” may come from Scottish dialect, or it could be related to the idea of giving something a whirl — a spin, a turn, an attempt.
Whatever its origin, the meaning is clear and consistent: stop overthinking and just try it. It is casual, encouraging, and carries zero judgement about whether you will succeed or fail.
The “Have a Go” Culture
To really understand “give it a burl,” you need to understand something deeper about Australian workplace culture. Australians value people who try things. There is a strong “have a go” attitude that runs through workplaces, sport, and everyday life.
This does not mean being reckless. It means being willing to attempt something even when you are not 100% sure it will work out. In many cultures, there is pressure to only attempt things you know you can do well. In Australia, the expectation is different — trying and failing is respected more than not trying at all.
When someone says “give it a burl,” they are not just suggesting you try something. They are telling you it is safe to try. There is no judgement waiting on the other side if it does not work out.
All the Ways Australians Say “Just Try It”
Australians have an impressive number of ways to encourage someone to attempt something. Here are the most common ones you will hear at work:
| Phrase | Example | Feeling |
|---|---|---|
| Give it a burl | “Not sure if this will fix it, but give it a burl.” | Casual, encouraging |
| Have a crack | “I’ve never done a presentation before.” — “Have a crack at it!” | Confident, supportive |
| Give it a go | “Why don’t you give it a go and see what happens?” | Neutral, common |
| Give it a bash | “The formula is tricky but give it a bash.” | Energetic, informal |
| Give it a whirl | “New coffee machine in the kitchen — give it a whirl.” | Light, playful |
| Have a stab at it | “I’ll have a stab at writing the report.” | Willing, modest |
How This Shows Up at Work
Understanding “give it a burl” is not just about vocabulary. It is about understanding how Australian workplaces encourage initiative. Here are some real situations where you might hear it:
- Learning new software: “I haven’t used this system before.” — “No worries, give it a burl. You’ll pick it up.”
- Volunteering for a task: “I could try writing the client proposal?” — “Yeah, give it a burl!”
- Problem-solving: “Maybe if we rearrange the schedule…” — “Worth a burl. Let’s see.”
- Suggesting an idea in a meeting: “I had this thought about the campaign…” — “Give it a burl, let’s hear it.”
Notice the pattern: in each case, hesitation is met with encouragement. That is the cultural function of “give it a burl” — it removes the barrier between thinking about doing something and actually doing it.
What Happens If You Try and Fail?
This is the best part. In Australian workplace culture, the response to a failed attempt is almost always some version of “no dramas” or “good on ya for trying.” The fact that you had a crack at it earns you more respect than if you had stood back and done nothing.
Compare this to workplaces where mistakes are heavily scrutinised. In Australia, the expectation is that you will give things a go, learn from what happens, and move on. It is not about being perfect. It is about being willing.
Tips for Using “Give It a Burl”
- Use it to encourage others. If a colleague is hesitant about trying something, “Give it a burl” is a warm, supportive way to push them forward.
- Use it to show willingness. Saying “I’ll give it a burl” tells your team you are ready to try, even if you are not an expert. Australians love that attitude.
- Keep it casual. Like most Australian slang, this phrase belongs in everyday conversation, not formal reports or client emails.
- Pair it with action. The whole point of “give it a burl” is doing, not just talking. When someone encourages you to try, follow through.
- “Have a crack” is your safest alternative. If “burl” feels unfamiliar on your tongue, “have a crack at it” is equally common and natural.
“Give it a burl” captures something essential about working in Australia: the belief that trying matters more than perfecting. Once you embrace that mindset, you will not just sound more Australian — you will feel more at home in Australian workplaces.
Episode 15 of Aussie Workplace English
