Be sure to finish work, or at least try (4)
I believe the answer is:
seek
'try' is the definition.
(synonyms)
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for seek that I've seen before include "Hunt, look for" , "Try to locate or reach" , "'. . . . and ye shall find'" , "Ask for (permission)" , "Go looking for" .)