- go
- I UK [ɡəʊ] / US [ɡoʊ]
verb
Word forms "go":
present tense I/you/we/they go he/she/it goes present participle going past tense went UK [went] / US past participle gone UK [ɡɒn] / US [ɡɔn]
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1) [intransitive] to move or travel to a place that is away from where you are nowgo to/into/through/across etc:Where did Sue go?
She went into the bathroom and rinsed her face in cold water.
The fastest way to get to the library is to go through the park.
go by car/train/plane etc:We're planning to go to Spain this winter.
They'll be going from London to Paris by train.
a) to leave a placeWhat time are you going tomorrow?
I'm tired; let's go.
b) to move or travel to a place, or to leave a place, in order to do a particular thinggo to:go to prison/jail:They've gone to a concert in town tonight.
go to lunch/dinner:He went to prison for life.
go to the doctor('s)/dentist('s)/hairdresser('s) etc:Are you ready to go to lunch yet?
go to/into hospital:I'm leaving early to go to the dentist.
go and do something:He went into hospital for a routine operation last Tuesday.
go to do something:I have to go and pick up my friends at the airport.
go shopping/fishing/dancing etc:Jim went to buy some more ice cream about ten minutes ago.
go for a swim/ride/walk etc:On hot days the kids would go swimming in the river.
They went for a walk round the neighbourhood.
c) to move in a particular way or while doing a particular thinggo crashing/flying/crying etc:Two jet fighters went racing across the sky.
d) to travel to a place along a particular road or as part of a transport serviceThe bus goes right to the centre of town.
2) [intransitive] to travel to a particular place regularly in order to take part in an activitygo to:None of her brothers went to college.
When I was young, we went to church every Sunday.
3) [intransitive] to continue from one place or time to anothergo from/to/past etc:The 350-kilometre jungle highway going from Georgetown to Brazil was built with World Bank funds.
4) [intransitive] to happen in a particular wayhow are things going?/how's it going?:go well/smoothly/badly etc:How are things going at work?
I think the interview went very well.
5)a) [linking verb] to change to another condition, usually a worse onego deaf/blind/grey/bald etc:go wild/crazy/mad:Louise had gone completely blind before she died.
go bad/sour/rotten:We knew they would go crazy if they ever found out.
The milk smells like it's going bad.
b) to be in a particular state or situation, especially one in which you do not have something or in which something is not donego barefoot/naked etc:go hungry:We both love going barefoot on the beach.
go unseen/unheard etc:Thousands of people are being allowed to go hungry.
Most of their hard work seems to have gone unnoticed.
It was a vicious tackle, and the referee couldn't let it go unpunished.
6) [intransitive] to start being in a worse state, or to stop working correctly as a result of becoming old or damagedHer hearing is really starting to go.
The battery in this watch is going.
7) [intransitive] spoken to dieWhen it's your time to go, there's nothing you can do about it.
8) [intransitive] to be usually kept or put in a particular placego in/under/beside etc:The spoons go in the other drawer.
a) if something goes in a particular place, it fits there because it is the right size or shapeThere's no way all this stuff will go in the box.
b) to be suitable, right, or attractive in a particular place or in a particular combinationIt's the kind of furniture that would go well in any room.
I don't think these colours really go, do you?
9) [intransitive] to be sentgo to:I'd like this letter to go first class.
The memo should go to all employees.
10) [intransitive] if time goes in a particular way, it passes in that waygo fast/quickly/slowly:This week's gone so fast – I can't believe it's Friday already.
11) [intransitive/transitive] to continue or last for a particular amount of time while doing somethinggo (for) days/weeks/months etc:He went several days without eating a single thing.
12) [intransitive] to be spentgo on/for:Where did all their money go?
Half of the cheque went on new shoes for the kids.
a) if a supply of something goes, it becomes less because more and more of it is usedWe were worried because the food was completely gone and the water was going fast.
b) to be got rid ofhave got to go:These old trousers of yours have got to go.
c) to disappearI put my book on the table, and now it's gone.
13) [intransitive] to leave a job or organization, especially because you are forced toThey can fire me, but I won't go quietly.
14)a) [transitive] to make a particular sound, especially the typical sound of a particular animalCows go "moo".
His alarm kept going "beep, beep, beep".
b) [intransitive] to make a sound as a signalNo one leaves until the bell goes.
15) [intransitive] to move in a particular wayHe kept going like this with his head.
16) [intransitive/transitive] to consist of a particular series of words, facts, or musical notesthe story/saying/argument goes (that):That's not the way the song goes.
The story goes that this castle was built by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.
17) [transitive] very informal used when you are telling a story for saying what someone has saidSo he goes, "I know what I'm doing," and she goes, "I don't think so."
18) [intransitive] to begin doing somethingbe ready to go:Nobody starts until I say "Go".
get going (on something):We've planned every detail and are ready to go.
It won't take me long once I get going.
19) [intransitive] if a machine or piece of equipment goes, it operates correctlyMy old watch is still going.
20) [intransitive] to be soldbe going cheap (= be for sale at a low price):Tickets are going very fast, so I'd advise you to book now.
There are some lovely bathroom tiles going cheap today.
21) [intransitive] to pay or accept a particular amount of money for somethingI can't go any higher than £500.
22) [intransitive] spoken to go to the toiletI need to go right now.
•as someone/something goes
— when you consider what other people or things of the same type are likeAs history textbooks go, this one is pretty good.
go all out (to do something/for something)
— to try as hard as you can to achieve somethingUK-based companies are going all out to secure overseas contracts.
We're going all out for a big win in Saturday's game.
go one better (than)
— to do something better than someone else has done or better than you have done beforewhere does someone go from here?
— used for asking what someone can do next in a particular situation, especially a difficult onewho goes there?
— spoken used by a soldier guarding a place for asking who is coming towards them- go far- to goPhrasal verbs:- go about- go after- go ahead- go along- go away- go back- go by- go down- go for- go in- go into- go off- go on- go on at- go out- go over- go to- go under- go up- go withSee:anything, far, say I
II UK [ɡəʊ] / US [ɡoʊ] noun
Word forms "go":
singular go plural goes UK [ɡəʊz] / US [ɡoʊz]
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1)a) [countable] an attempt to do somethinghave a go at (doing) something:give something a go (= try to do it):She once had a go at writing a novel but quickly gave up.
at/in one go:I'd thought about skiing for some time and finally decided to give it a go this winter.
Don't try to eat the whole thing in one go.
b) British your chance to play in a game or to take part in an activityhave a go on something:Whose go is it?
£1/£2 etc a go:Have a go on my exercise bike if you want.
Donkey rides are £3 a go.
2) [uncountable] British informal energy and enthusiasmShe's always so full of go.
3) [uncountable] a Japanese game for two people, played with black and white stones on a board with lines that cross each other4) [singular] American informal a situation in which something that has been planned can happen or be doneIt looks like the party tonight is a go.
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English dictionary. 2014.
