go

to go on (1) – to continue.  He never seems to get to the end of the story. It just keeps going on and on.

to go on (2) – to happen.  I thought something was going on in the town when I heard the fireworks.

to go up / down – to increase / decrease.  The price of living always seemsto go up. It never goes down.

to go out with someone – to date.  Theywent out with each other for 2 years before they got engaged.

to go into – to discuss.   She doesn’t like to go into details about her divorce.

to go off – to stop liking.  I used to love McDonald’s. Then I ate it every day for 2 weeks and I completely went off it.

to go by – to pass.  Most people just go by tramps and beggars on the street without even noticing them.

to go back – to return.  It’s started raining. We’d better go back home before we get wet.

to go ahead – to move forward.  Despite opposition from the people, the government decided to go ahead with plans to build a new airport.

to go over – to focus on.  Let’s go over the details of the contract after lunch.

PHRASAL VERBS WITH 'GO'

Study the phrasal verbs below. Click 'Add package' to review them with the Expemo memorization system.

Phrasal verb

Meaning

Example

go ahead

proceed 
(after obtaining 
permission)

"Can I ask you a question?" "Go ahead."

 

 

 

 

 

 

go along with
something

accept something, 
agree with someone

At the end of the meeting, everybody went along with the manager’s decision.

 

 

 

 

 

 

go away

leave, disappear

Joanne isn’t here. Shewent away for the weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

go back

start doing something 
again

After travelling for a year, Paul went back to university.

 

 

 

 

 

 

go back on 
something

break a promise

The prime minister went back on his promise to reduce taxes. Everybody is angry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

go for something

choose

She couldn’t decide whether to order coffee or tea. In the end, she went for coffee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

go in for
something

enter a competition

Carl is a black belt in karate. He often goes in forhigh-level competitions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

go off

explode

What was that noise? It sounded like a bomb went off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

go on

continue

Let’s go on after the break.

 

 

 

 

 

 

go on about
something

talk too much

Martin is always going on about the same problems. He can’t stop talking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

go on to 
do something

proceed to do something 
new or different

When Julia finished school, she went on to study medicine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

go out

take part in social 
activities outside the home

I hardly ever go out during the week. I'm just too busy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

go over

review

Let’s go over the results.

 

 

 

 

 

 

go through

be formally approved

His application finally went through, and he got his visa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

go under

go bankrupt

After several years of making a loss, the business finally went under.