quick

make
The boy made a stab at the pig.

wound

stab at, stab to
a stab to the chest

a stab to the heart (figurative)
Each word felt like a stab to the heart.

sharp, sudden

feel

stab of
He felt a sharp stab of disappointment.
a stab of pain

brave, good
half-hearted
She made a half-hearted stab at medical school, and quickly withdrew.

wild
first
He took his first stab at directing.

have, make, take

stab at
I had a stab at answering the question.

a stab in the dark (figurative)
It was only a stab in the dark, but I hoped I could learn something.