A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

have a go at it • make a go of it
have a go at it—(coll.) give it a try; make an attempt at
smth.: She said that she had never skied before but she was
willing to have a go at it.
Note: 
The expression does not correlate in meaning with the
phrase have at it—(coll.) 
1
. start doing smth. promptly or with
enthusiasm: “The driveway needs sweeping.” “Here’s the
broom. Have at it.” 2. argue or quarrel: All they could com-
plain about with me (and man did they have at it) was the
fact that this was my first visit in over two years. 3. (euph.)
have sex: However, someone breaks into the place while they
have a falling out
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are having at it, and she is barely able to leave the bed and
hide.
make a go of it—(coll.) make smth. succeed (also: make a do
of it) There seemed every reason for Tilly and Steven to make
a go of it abroad.
Note:
The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the
phrase make it go—(coll.) make smth. function: When he got
started in that business he found he was really able to make
it go.
have a good bang for one’s buck • have a good run
for one’s money
have a good bang for one’s buck —(coll.) get a good value for
one’s money (also: get a good bang for one’s buck): Russ has
shown some pretty strong statistics that say we do have a good
bang for our buck.
have a good run for one’s money —(also: get a good run for
one’s money)
1
. face a strong challenge or competition from a
person: I was a lot bigger than Roy, but I would’ve had a good
run for my money if we’d have fought. 2. derive much satis-
faction or enjoyment in return for one’s outlay or efforts: I
have had a good run for my money as a correspondent. …the
need for first-hand reporting from abroad is more important
than ever.