trial and error
noun1
Usually The process of finding a solution to a problem by trying many possible solutions and learning from mistakes until success is attained.
- Navigating by trial and error may get you there eventually, but using a map is faster.
- Trial and error was a big part of the process: "We need to fail down here so we don't fail up there," [Neil] Armstrong insists, though even some of the mistakes and malfunctions at ground level cause devastating casualties.2018 October 9, A. A. Dowd, “The Star and Director of La La Land Reunite for First Man’s Spectacular Trip to the Moon”, in The A.V. Club, archived from the original on 16 Jun 2020:
1 more example
- The Omtech 60W MOPA is available with autofocus, which automatically sets the correct focal height and eliminates much of the trial and error in setup.2026 August 23, Logan Wittmer, “Omtech 60W Autofocus MOPA Fiber Laser”, in Popular Woodworking, volume 290, number 4, page 10:
- Related terms
- brute force, empirical, suck it and see