To give someone an A for effort (or to get an A for effort) means to acknowledge that someone tried hard to accomplish a task, while explicitly recognizing that their final result was flawed, inadequate, or an outright failure.
Collocations: give (someone) an A for effort, get an A for effort, deserve an A for effort
Tone and Nuance: Genuine Praise or Condescending Consolation?
Standard dictionary definitions often describe this idiom as a phrase of genuine praise or appreciation, but in practical everyday English, that is rarely how it functions. The expression inherently relies on an unspoken “but”:
- The Consolation Prize: You never receive an “A for effort” when your work is actually good. The idiom is only invoked when the end result falls flat, serving as a polite or patronizing way to soften the blow of failure: “The presentation didn’t convince the client at all, but I suppose we get an A for effort.”
- The Condescending Undertone: When aimed at peers, colleagues, or adults, the phrase almost always lands as condescending or dismissive. By focusing entirely on sweat rather than skill, it implies that the person lacks the competence to deliver real results. It is more a “participation reward” than a real expression of praise.
- Sarcasm and Mockery: In modern colloquial speech, it is frequently used with dry irony to describe an attempt that was spectacularly disastrous, ill-conceived, or sloppy from the start.
At its best, it is a begrudging pat on the back; at its worst, it is a backhanded compliment that highlights inadequacy.
How to Express Genuine Appreciation (Without Sounding Condescending)
Because “A for effort” inevitably highlights someone’s failure or inadequacy, using it can sound patronizing when you truly want to encourage someone. If your goal is genuine, warm appreciation for someone’s hard work, several alternative idioms convey support without the sting:
- “Give Credit Where Credit Is Due”: Validates that the person’s initiative, hard work, or bravery was real and deserves respect, regardless of the messy outcome:
“The pasta didn’t hold up, but you’ve got to give him credit where credit is due for tackling homemade noodles from scratch.” - “It’s the Thought That Counts”: Shifts the value entirely to the kindness, love, or thoughtfulness behind the gesture rather than the execution:
“The cake fell flat in the center, but it’s the thought that counts. It was so sweet of her to bake for my birthday.” - “Go Out on a Limb”: Praises someone’s willingness to take a creative or difficult risk rather than playing it safe:
“The sauce was an unusual experiment, but I admire him for going out on a limb and trying such a complicated recipe.” - “Give It One’s All” (or “Give It One’s Best Shot”): Recognizes wholehearted energy and dedication without awarding a patronizing mock grade:
“The pitch didn’t win the account, but the entire team gave it their best shot.”
Origin of “A for Effort”
The idiom borrows directly from the letter-grading system standardized across American elementary and secondary schools in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, where A represents the highest mark of excellence.
Traditionally, student report cards graded academic performance alongside separate behavioral marks, including “deportment,” “citizenship,” and “effort.” An earnest teacher might award a struggling student an A in the effort column even if their actual test scores earned a D or F, ensuring the child’s dedication was acknowledged.
By the 1940s, American writers, military personnel, and commentators began applying the phrase figuratively outside the classroom. The metaphor immediately became shorthand for any well-intentioned venture whose final execution fell painfully short of the standard.
“A for Effort” vs. “E for Effort”
A frequent point of confusion, particularly among younger speakers and English learners, is whether the saying is “A for effort” or “E for effort.”
While the letter E phonetically matches the first letter of the word effort, the correct idiom is strictly “A for effort.” The letter refers to the top grade on a report card, not an acronym or alliteration. In American school grading, an “E” was historically equivalent to an “F” (failing), which would completely invert the meaning of the idiom.
Sentence Examples
“The homemade pasta was completely glued together, but I gave him an A for effort for trying a new recipe.”
“Our marketing campaign got an A for effort, but it produced virtually zero new sales leads.”
“He gets an A for effort for attempting that parallel park, but he’s still two feet away from the curb and blocking traffic.”
Similar and Related Idioms
- Good Try: A brief, often patronizing phrase acknowledging an unsuccessful attempt.
- Nice Try: Frequently used sarcastically to dismiss a failed trick, excuse, or attempt.
- Consolation Prize: A token award given to a loser or runner-up in a competition.
- It’s the Thought That Counts: A proverb emphasizing that kind intentions matter more than the value or success of the actual gesture or gift.
- Close, but No Cigar: An idiom used when an effort comes close to succeeding but ultimately fails.
- Give Credit Where Credit Is Due: To acknowledge someone’s contribution or effort fairly, even if reluctant to do so.