The antonyms for "try one's hardest" could include words such as: give up, slack off, half-heartedly, lazily, or slothfully. These words suggest a lack of effort or determination towards achieving a goal, and show a reluctance to put in 100% effort towards a task or objective. Whereas, trying one's hardest refers to a committed effort to do the best one can, even if the result is uncertain or the odds are against them. Antonyms for trying one's hardest imply a lack of enthusiasm, a lack of motivation, and a lack of dedication, that contrasts sharply with the idea of giving one's all to succeed.