go 3 other verb uses, noun uses, and phrases
1 go goes going went gone
You use go to talk about the way something happens. For example, if an event or situation goes well, it is successful.
She says everything is going smoothly.
How did it go at the hairdresser's?
VB
2 go goes going went gone
If a machine or device is going, it is working.
What about my copier? Can you get it going again?.
I said, `My car won't go in fog'.
VB
3 go goes going went gone
If a bell goes, it makes a noise, usually as a signal for you to do something.
The bell went for the break.
VB
4 go goes going went gone
If something goes with something else, or if two things go together, they look or taste nice together.
I was searching for a pair of grey gloves to go with my new gown.
I can see that some colours go together and some don't.
Wear something else. This won't go.
V-RECIP
5 go goes going went gone
You use go to introduce something you are quoting. For example, you say the story goes or the argument goes just before you quote all or part of it.
The story goes that she went home with him that night.
The story goes like this.
As the saying goes, `There's no smoke without fire.'.
VB
6 go goes going went gone
You use go when indicating that something makes or produces a sound. For example, if you say that something goes `bang', you mean it produces the sound `bang'.
She stopped in front of a painting of a dog and she started going `woof woof'.
The button on his jeans went POP.
VB
7 go goes going went gone
You can use go instead of `say' when you are quoting what someone has said or what you think they will say. (INFORMAL)
They say `Tom, shut up' and I go `No, you shut up'.
He goes to me: `Oh, what do you want?'
VB
8 go goes
A go is an attempt at doing something.
I always wanted to have a go at football.
She won on her first go.
Her hair was bright orange. It took us two goes to get the colour right.
N-COUNT: oft N at n/-ing
= try
9 go goes
If it is your go in a game, it is your turn to do something, for example to play a card or move a piece.
I'm two behind you but it's your go.
Now whose go is it?
N-COUNT: poss N
= turn
10 go
If you go all out to do something or go all out for something, you make the greatest possible effort to do it or get it. (INFORMAL)
They will go all out to get exactly what they want.
They're ready to go all out for the Premier League title next season.
PHR: V inflects, PHR to-inf, PHR for n
11 go
If people say `anything goes', they mean that anything people say or do is considered acceptable, and usually they mean that they do not approve of this.
In the 90s, almost anything goes.
PHR disapproval
12 go
You use expressions like as things go or as children go when you are describing one person or thing and comparing them with others of the same kind. (INFORMAL)
This is a straightforward case, as these things go.
He's good company, as small boys go.
PHR: PHR with cl
13 go
If you do something as you go along, you do it while you are doing another thing, without preparing it beforehand.
Learning how to become a parent takes time. It's a skill you learn as you go along.
PHR: PHR after v
14 go
If you say that someone has gone and done something, you are expressing your annoyance at the foolish thing they have done. (INFORMAL)
Well, he's gone and done it again, hasn't he?.
Somebody goes and does something mindless like that and just destroys everything for you.
PHR: Vs inflect disapproval
15 go
You say `Go for it' to encourage someone to increase their efforts to achieve or win something. (INFORMAL)
CONVENTION
16 go
If someone has a go at you, they criticize you, often in a way that you feel is unfair. (mainly BRIT, INFORMAL)
Some people had a go at us for it, which made us more angry.
PHR: V inflects, PHR n
17 go
If someone says `Where do we go from here?' they are asking what should be done next, usually because a problem has not been solved in a satisfactory way.
CONVENTION
18 go
If you say that someone is making a go of something such as a business or relationship, you mean that they are having some success with it.
I knew we could make a go of it and be happy.
PHR: V inflects, PHR n
19 go
If you say that someone is always on the go, you mean that they are always busy and active. (INFORMAL)
I got a new job this year where I am on the go all the time.
PHR: usu v-link PHR, PHR after v
20 go
If you have something on the go, you have started it and are busy doing it.
Do you like to have many projects on the go at any one time?
PHR: V inflects, usu PHR after v
21 go
You can say `My heart goes out to him' or `My sympathy goes out to her' to express the strong sympathy you have for someone in a difficult or unpleasant situation.
My heart goes out to Mrs Adams and her fatherless children.
PHR: V inflects feelings
22 go
If you say that there are a particular number of things to go, you mean that they still remain to be dealt with.
I still had another five operations to go.
PHR: amount PHR
23 go
If you say that there is a certain amount of time to go, you mean that there is that amount of time left before something happens or ends.
There is a week to go until the elections.
PHR: amount PHR, oft PHR prep
24 go
If you are in a cafusee1 or restaurant and ask for an item of food to go, you mean that you want to take it away with you and not eat it there. (mainly AM; in BRIT =to take out or to take away)
Large fries to go.
PHR: n PHR
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