go
/ɡəʊ/ (bre, ipa) · [ɡˈo] /ɡəʊ/ (ame, ipa) · [ɡˈo] /ˈgō/ (ame, mw) · [ɡˈo] /ɡoʊ/ (ame, ipa)
go — verb
- gopresent simple I / you / we / they
- goeshe / she / it
- wentpast simple
- gonepast participle
- going-ing form
1. to change where you are, heading from one spot to a different one
to change where you are, heading from one spot to a different one
Ziad went to the supermarket to buy some bread for dinner.
go + to + place
Every morning, Élise goes into town on the blue bus.
go + into + place
The children ran outside and went straight towards the playground.
Christopher went upstairs without saying a word to anyone.
Min did not want to go back home so early on a Saturday.
文法句型
go + to/into/towards + place
go + adverb of direction
用法筆記
The most basic sense of go. The destination is usually stated, either as a place or a direction word. Distinguish from sense 6 (LEAVE), where the focus is on departing rather than the destination.
常見錯誤
2. to be moving forward on a journey, at a particular speed or in a certain style
to be moving forward on a journey, at a particular speed or in a certain style
The old truck was going slowly up the steep mountain road.
go + adverb of speed
Felix went whistling through the door with a big smile.
go + -ing (manner of movement)
Paloma watched the clouds going across the sky from her window.
We went past the old church and then turned left at the tree.
Ayesha was going around the market looking for the perfect gift.
文法句型
go + -ing (describing how someone moves)
go + adverb of speed or manner
用法筆記
Focuses on the movement itself — the process, not the destination. The subject can be a person, vehicle, or anything that moves. Distinguish from sense 1, which names where you end up; this sense describes how you get there.
3. to set off for somewhere because you plan to join in an event, do a sport, or ge
to set off for somewhere because you plan to join in an event, do a sport, or get something done
Chidi went to watch the football match with his younger brother.
go + to-infinitive for purpose
Nellie goes swimming at the new pool every Tuesday after work.
go + -ing (leisure activity)
The whole family went to see the fireworks display in the park.
Anthony went to pick up his dry cleaning before the shop shut.
Asher and his flatmate went shopping for fresh vegetables at dawn.
- head off to
informal; emphasises setting out
- set out to
slightly formal; stresses the start of the journey
文法句型
go + to-infinitive (purpose)
go + -ing (leisure or sport activity)
用法筆記
The activity is the reason for going. Common with sports, shopping, and social events. Distinguish from the 'be going to' future construction (sense 11), which expresses intention without any physical movement.
常見錯誤
4. to travel to a place, stay there for some time, and then come back
to travel to a place, stay there for some time, and then come back
Ziad went to his grandmother's village for the whole summer break.
go + to + place + for + time period
Every year, Élise goes away for two weeks to a quiet beach town.
go + away + for + time
Christopher went to Tokyo for a short business trip last month.
The children went camping in the forest and came back on Sunday.
Min went to stay with her aunt in the countryside for a few days.
文法句型
go + to + place + for + time period
go + away + for + time period
用法筆記
The key element is returning to the starting point. If there is no return (someone moves permanently), use sense 1 or 6 instead. Often used with a time expression showing how long the stay lasts.
5. to stop being in the place where you expected to find something; to vanish or be
to stop being in the place where you expected to find something; to vanish or be lost
Paloma looked in her bag but her phone had gone.
something + go (disappear)
I put my glasses on the desk and now they have gone.
Half the biscuits had gone by the time the guests arrived.
Indra checked his pocket and found that the key had gone.
The pain in her shoulder went after she took the medicine.
文法句型
something + go (disappear)
something + go + from + place
用法筆記
Almost always used with a thing as the subject. When a person is the subject of 'go', it does not mean disappear — it means the person left (sense 6). Often appears in the perfect form ('has gone', 'had gone').
常見錯誤
6. to depart from a place, often heading somewhere else
to depart from a place, often heading somewhere else
It was getting late, so Ayesha said her goodbyes and went.
go (depart, no destination stated)
Felix went from the party early because he had a headache.
go + from + place
The last train goes at ten minutes past midnight on weekdays.
Asher packed his bags and went without looking back even once.
Nellie had to go early to catch the first flight to Seoul.
文法句型
go (depart, no complement)
go + from + place
go + to + destination
用法筆記
The focus is on leaving, not on where you are heading. When 'go' appears without a destination, it almost always means 'leave.' Distinguish from sense 1 (TRAVEL OR MOVE), where the destination is the main point.
7. used when ordering at a restaurant to ask for food to be wrapped up so you can c
used when ordering at a restaurant to ask for food to be wrapped up so you can carry it away and eat it later, not on the premises
Aarav asked for his sandwich to go because he was running late for the train.
phrase: (food) to go = packed for taking away
Élise ordered two coffees to go and hurried back to her desk.
The cashier smiled at Femi and asked, 'Is that for here or to go?'
Roya always gets her lunch to go and eats it on a park bench.
They phoned ahead and picked up three large pizzas to go.
- take away
the standard British equivalent; 'to go' is more common in American English
- for here
the opposite phrase when ordering; means eating inside the restaurant
文法句型
food + to go
用法筆記
Only used in the fixed phrase 'to go' after ordering food. The opposite phrase is 'for here' or 'eat in'.
常見錯誤
8. a gentle or indirect way of saying that someone has died, used to soften the new
a gentle or indirect way of saying that someone has died, used to soften the news
Quan's grandmother went peacefully in her sleep at the age of ninety-two.
polite euphemism for 'die'; often collocates with 'peacefully'
The old family dog went soon after his owner passed away too.
Lisa sat by the bed all night, afraid her father might go before morning.
No one expected him to go so suddenly — he was only fifty-five.
Ignacio told the children that their grandfather had gone to a better place.
用法筆記
A polite alternative to 'die'. Often paired with adverbs like 'peacefully' or 'suddenly', or the phrase 'in one's sleep'.
9. used about a road, path, or route that leads or stretches towards a place, or fo
used about a road, path, or route that leads or stretches towards a place, or follows a certain course
This path goes all the way down to the river and then turns left.
go + preposition of direction: goes down to
Does this road go through the mountains or around them?
The tunnel goes under the old city and comes out near the market.
A narrow track goes from the village straight up into the pine forest.
Chiara asked whether that bus route goes past the main train station.
文法句型
go + through
go + under
go + past
go + from...to...
用法筆記
Subject is usually a road, path, track, tunnel, route, or similar. Use simple present, not present continuous, for permanent routes.
常見錯誤
10. to cover or span a certain distance from one point to another, or to reach as fa
to cover or span a certain distance from one point to another, or to reach as far as a particular place
The queue for tickets went all the way around the side of the building.
go + distance: went all the way around
Femi's vegetable garden goes right down to the edge of the stream.
The crack in the wall goes from the ceiling nearly to the floor.
How far does this hiking trail go before it loops back around?
Tamar's new bookshelf goes the whole length of the bedroom wall.
文法句型
go + all the way
go + from...to...
go + around
go + the length of
用法筆記
Subject has physical length (queue, garden, crack, shelf, rope). Distinguish from sense 9 (LEAD): sense 9 is about the direction a route takes, while sense 10 is about how far something reaches.
常見錯誤
11. used in the pattern 'be going to' for saying what someone has already decided or
used in the pattern 'be going to' for saying what someone has already decided or made plans to do
Aarav is going to study medicine when he finishes secondary school.
be going to + base verb for planned intentions
We are going to visit my grandmother in Taipei next weekend.
Élise says she is going to learn Japanese before her trip to Kyoto.
What are you going to do after the concert ends tonight?
Felix and his brother are going to open a small café together.
文法句型
be going to + infinitive
用法筆記
Used in 'be going to + infinitive' for plans and intentions decided before the moment of speaking. Compare with sense 12 (PREDICT), which is for events expected to happen based on present evidence.
常見錯誤
12. used in the pattern 'be going to' for saying what seems sure or very likely to h
used in the pattern 'be going to' for saying what seems sure or very likely to happen, often judging from something you can see or know right now
Look at those clouds — it is going to rain any minute now.
be going to + base verb for predictions based on present evidence
That old branch is going to fall; you can hear it cracking.
Roya is going to be thrilled when she sees the surprise party.
The way Luca is driving, he is going to get a speeding ticket soon.
This team is going to win the match — they are four goals ahead.
- will
'be going to' is preferred when something in the present points to the future event
- be about to
for events that are even closer to happening; even more immediate than 'be going to'
文法句型
be going to + infinitive
用法筆記
Used in 'be going to + infinitive' for predictions, especially when there is present evidence. Compare with sense 11 (INTEND), which is for plans and intentions rather than predictions.
13. to pass from one state into another — most often a worse or unwanted one. Common
to pass from one state into another — most often a worse or unwanted one. Common with adjectives like bad, wrong, blind, deaf, crazy, quiet, sour, or cold.
The milk went sour after sitting on the counter all afternoon.
go + adjective pattern for change of state
Yumi's face went bright red when everyone sang happy birthday.
If you leave the bread outside, it will go hard by tomorrow morning.
The old house went quiet the moment the clock stopped ticking.
Mert went completely blind in one eye after the operation failed.
- stay
remain in the same state rather than changing
文法句型
go + adjective
用法筆記
This sense describes a change of state, usually for the worse. Unlike sense 17 (REMAIN WITHOUT), where the subject stays in a condition over time, sense 13 means the subject passes from one state into a different one.
常見錯誤
14. to move your hand, arm, head, or another part of your body in a certain way, usu
to move your hand, arm, head, or another part of your body in a certain way, usually to show someone what you mean or to demonstrate an action.
The dance teacher went like this with her arms and told us to copy.
go like this + accompanying gesture
Haruto put down his chopsticks and went like this, shaking his head slowly.
When I asked about the fish, Amihan spread her hands and went this wide.
The referee went like this — one hand up, whistle in his mouth.
Beatrix went like that with her fingers to show the spider was tiny.
- gesture
noun equivalent; 'make a gesture' is the more formal way to express this
- motion
slightly more formal; often used when someone signals with a hand movement
- demonstrate
more explicit about showing how to do something rather than just moving
文法句型
go like this
go + description of a movement
15. when a machine or device goes, it works properly or runs in the way it was desig
when a machine or device goes, it works properly or runs in the way it was designed to. Used especially of things with moving parts, such as engines, clocks, and watches.
My old watch still goes perfectly after thirty years in a drawer.
go = function (of a mechanical device)
The car engine wouldn't go this morning because the battery was dead.
Lucía pulled the cord six times before the old lawnmower finally went.
The clock on the wall hasn't gone for weeks — someone needs to change the battery.
Grandma's sewing machine still goes even though she bought it in the 1960s.
文法句型
[machine/device/engine] + go
用法筆記
Subject is typically a machine, engine, clock, or device with moving parts. Less natural with modern electronics — people say 'my phone works' rather than 'my phone goes.'
常見錯誤
16. when time goes, it moves forward and a particular period comes to an end. People
when time goes, it moves forward and a particular period comes to an end. People often use it to describe whether a stretch of time felt fast or dragged on.
The summer holidays went far too quickly, and soon it was September again.
time + go = elapse
The last hour of the exam went so slowly that I nearly fell asleep.
The first three days of the holiday went fast, and then the rain came.
Time goes more slowly when you keep checking the clock every five minutes.
The morning went well, but the afternoon dragged on without end.
- drag
used when time feels slow and boring ('the afternoon dragged')
文法句型
[time period] + go + adverb
用法筆記
Subject is always a period of time (morning, holiday, exam, etc.). Frequently paired with adverbs of speed: quickly, slowly, fast, well.
17. to continue in a state where something expected or needed is absent — for exampl
to continue in a state where something expected or needed is absent — for example, going hungry (without food), going unnoticed (without attention), or going unpunished (without consequences for a wrong act).
Many families went hungry that winter when the crops failed.
go + adjective describing deprivation
The spelling mistake went unnoticed by all five people who checked the document.
Imran was shocked that the thief went unpunished after stealing from the shop.
In some villages, children still go barefoot because their parents cannot afford shoes.
The old temple went uncared for after the last monk moved away.
- become
change into a new state (sense 13), as opposed to staying in one
文法句型
go + adjective/past participle (describing lack or deprivation)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 13 (BECOME): sense 13 describes changing into a new state (the milk went sour = it became sour), while sense 17 describes staying in a state of lack (the mistake went unnoticed = it remained unnoticed the whole time).
常見錯誤
18. used when comparing a person or thing with others of the same type, often to sug
used when comparing a person or thing with others of the same type, often to suggest that expectations should be modest. The phrase 'as X go' means 'compared to most other X of that kind.'
As horror films go, this one is actually quite funny rather than scary.
as [plural noun] go = compared to others of the same type
The food at that café isn't bad, as cheap lunch spots go.
Chidi is quite tall, as ten-year-olds go — he is already taller than his older sister.
As office jobs go, working at the library is peaceful and low-stress.
The hotel was clean enough, as budget hotels go in that part of the city.
- compared to
more direct and formal; 'compared to other horror films' means the same as 'as horror films go'
- for a
similar meaning but less evaluative ('for a horror film, it's funny')
文法句型
as [plural noun] go
用法筆記
The noun inside 'as [noun] go' must always be plural. The subject being judged is singular.
常見錯誤
19. to serve as evidence supporting a particular claim, idea, or conclusion
to serve as evidence supporting a particular claim, idea, or conclusion
The muddy footprints went to prove that the dog had been inside the house.
go + to-infinitive: presenting evidence for a claim
Dimitri's test results go to show that the new medicine really does work.
What does the photo go to prove about how the town once looked?
The long queue outside went to demonstrate how popular the film had become.
Yelena's steady hands during the crisis went to show her years of medical training.
- prove
stronger; implies a definitive conclusion
- demonstrate
more formal; often used in academic or professional contexts
- show
more general and everyday; the most common alternative
- confirm
implies verifying something already believed or suspected
文法句型
go to prove/show/demonstrate + that-clause
用法筆記
Fixed pattern 'go to prove/show/demonstrate'. The subject is usually evidence, facts, test results, or observable circumstances — not a person.
20. to move from waiting or preparation into action — to begin an activity or start
to move from waiting or preparation into action — to begin an activity or start using a tool, system, or method
Kwame put on his gloves and went to work on the broken fence.
go to + noun: beginning an activity
The chair skipped the introductions and went straight to the budget discussion.
Amara opened the exam paper and went right to the first question.
The children went straight to the swings the moment they arrived at the park.
After weeks of planning, the team finally went into action last Monday morning.
文法句型
go to + noun phrase
go to + infinitive
go into + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often paired with 'straight' or 'right' to emphasise moving into action without delay. Common in spoken and informal written English.
21. in a game or activity where people take turns, to have your chance to act or pla
in a game or activity where people take turns, to have your chance to act or play
Hakim rolled the dice and then it was Tariq's turn to go.
go = take one's turn in a game
In a standard chess match, the player with the white pieces always goes first.
Noor waited calmly while three other children went before her turn came.
Ingrid went next and scored three points with her final dart at the board.
You already had a turn — now Sana gets to go on the climbing wall.
文法句型
go (in a game)
go first/next/last
用法筆記
Used specifically for turn-based games and activities. Common with sequence words: go first, go next, go last. Distinct from the noun sense 'a go' (meaning an attempt or turn).
常見錯誤
22. if a smaller number goes into a larger one, the larger number can be divided by
if a smaller number goes into a larger one, the larger number can be divided by the smaller and produce a result that is a whole number, with nothing left over
The teacher asked the class how many times seven goes into forty-two.
go into [number]: mathematical division
Sana could not remember whether four goes into thirty without leaving a remainder.
Three goes into twenty-seven exactly nine times, so the answer is nine.
Kwame checked if five goes into eighty-three before he did the next sum.
Dimitri soon saw that six does not go into forty and moved on.
文法句型
[number] goes into [number]
go into [number] evenly
用法筆記
Used only in mathematical contexts. The smaller number is the subject: 'four goes into twelve'. The larger number follows 'into'. Often used with 'evenly' or 'exactly' to emphasise no remainder.
常見錯誤
23. used when telling a story to report what somebody said, especially in informal o
used when telling a story to report what somebody said, especially in informal or conversational spoken English
So I go, 'Are you really going to wear that?' and she goes, 'Yes, why not?'
go = say (informal storytelling, with direct speech)
Theerawat told us what happened: the boss goes, 'Who broke the printer?' and everyone went quiet.
Beatriz was telling the story and she goes, 'And then the door just opened by itself!'
So the teacher goes, 'No homework this weekend,' and the whole class cheered.
Amara goes, 'You will never guess who I saw at the market,' and we all leaned in.
文法句型
[person] goes, '[direct speech]'
用法筆記
Informal and almost entirely restricted to spoken storytelling. The tense often stays in the present ('goes') even when recounting past events, to create a sense of immediacy. Not appropriate for formal writing or reports — use 'say' or 'tell' instead.
常見錯誤
24. to gradually lose strength, quality, or the ability to work, especially through
to gradually lose strength, quality, or the ability to work, especially through heavy use, age, or pressure
The old sofa finally went after twenty years of children jumping on it.
go = break down / give out (intransitive)
Hakim's brakes went on the steep hill and he had to pull over fast.
The kitchen light bulb went right in the middle of dinner last night.
Zainab's voice started to go after she had been singing for three hours straight.
The garden gate hinges went rusty and then the whole thing fell apart.
- break
more sudden; implies a clean stop rather than gradual decline
- fail
more technical; often used for machines and systems
- wear out
can be transitive: 'the climb wore me out'; as intransitive it overlaps with this sense of 'go'
- deteriorate
formal; suggests a slow loss of quality over time
文法句型
[thing] goes
go + adjective (rusty/flat/dead/blind)
用法筆記
Intransitive — the thing that breaks or wears out is the subject, not the person. Compare: 'the radio went' (intransitive) vs 'she broke the radio' (transitive with 'break'). Can be followed by an adjective describing the resulting state: went rusty, went flat, went dead, went blind.
常見錯誤
25. of a bell, alarm, or other device — to ring, beep, or sound off
of a bell, alarm, or other device — to ring, beep, or sound off
The school bell went at exactly three o'clock, and children ran outside.
Élise jumped when the car horn went right behind her in traffic.
The fire alarm went while we were eating lunch in the cafeteria.
Christopher's phone went ping with a message from his sister in Athens.
All the church bells went at midnight to welcome the new year.
文法句型
go + sound word
用法筆記
Common with words that imitate sounds (bang, crash, ping, beep). The subject is usually the thing making the sound, not a person.
常見錯誤
26. used when talking about the words or tune of a song, poem, or story
used when talking about the words or tune of a song, poem, or story
How does that old folk song go? I've forgotten the first verse.
how does something go? for asking about lyrics or content
The nursery rhyme goes something like 'twinkle, twinkle, little star.'
Valentina hummed the tune, but she couldn't remember how the words go.
The story goes that a ghost lives in the old house on the hill.
Jabari read the poem aloud, just as it goes in the printed book.
文法句型
how does something go?
something goes + complement
用法筆記
Often used in questions when the speaker cannot remember exact words. Also common in storytelling (the story goes that…).
常見錯誤
27. to be regularly found with something else, or to be given to a particular person
to be regularly found with something else, or to be given to a particular person or thing after a decision or contest
Hard work and success often go together, but luck plays a part too.
The prize for best short film went to a director from Lagos.
go to someone: be awarded to a person
In that company, the top jobs always go to people with law degrees.
Poverty and poor health tend to go hand in hand in many countries.
Minho was surprised when the promotion went to the newest team member.
文法句型
go together
go to + person
用法筆記
When talking about awards or jobs, the subject is the thing being given, not the person giving it.
常見錯誤
28. to belong in a particular spot — the place where something is normally kept or f
to belong in a particular spot — the place where something is normally kept or fits
'Where do the clean towels go?' asked Quinn, holding up the folded stack.
go + place expression: where something belongs
The big sofa goes against the back wall, not in front of the window.
These old photos go in the blue album on the bottom shelf.
Apinya couldn't remember where the spare keys go in the new apartment.
The forks go in the drawer on the left, next to the spoons.
文法句型
go + preposition of place
用法筆記
Almost always used with a phrase telling where (preposition + place). Very common in questions about where to put things.
常見錯誤
29. of goods or property — to find a buyer, often at a stated price
of goods or property — to find a buyer, often at a stated price
The concert tickets went in less than ten minutes after they came out.
go + time expression: be sold quickly
Paloma's old bicycle went for just thirty euros at the street market.
Those limited-edition shoes went so fast the shop sold out by noon.
The house went to a young couple who made the highest offer.
These handmade bags go for about fifty pounds each at the craft fair.
文法句型
go for + price
go + adverb of speed
用法筆記
Often followed by 'for' to state the selling price. Also used with speed words (quickly, fast) to show how fast something sold.
常見錯誤
30. to look attractive or be right when used together with something else
to look attractive or be right when used together with something else
Vivek wondered if his brown belt would go with his new black shoes.
That yellow paint doesn't go well with the dark furniture in the room.
Emma thought the spicy sauce went perfectly with the plain rice dish.
Do you think this striped shirt goes with these checked trousers?
Red wine generally goes better with red meat than with fish dishes.
- match
'match' suggests looking the same or very similar; 'go with' is about looking good together even if different
- suit
'suit' is about being flattering to a person; 'go with' is about two items working together
- harmonize
'harmonize' is more formal, often used about colours and sounds in careful description
- clash
'clash' is the direct opposite for colours and styles that look bad together
文法句型
go with + something
go together
用法筆記
Almost always followed by 'with' or 'together.' Used for visual matching, flavour pairing, and general suitability.
常見錯誤
31. to use a particular name when meeting people, especially one that is not a perso
to use a particular name when meeting people, especially one that is not a person's full or official name
Her real name is Elizabeth, but at the cafe she goes by Liz.
go by + name: use a shortened or chosen name
Among his close friends, Christopher always went by the nickname Topher.
The painter signed her work as M. Park but she went by Yumi at home.
Tyler told the new students they could just call him Coach if going by his full name felt strange.
The novelist goes under the name of Vinícius Reis whenever he publishes mystery books.
- be called
more general; covers official names as well as chosen ones
- be known as
wider in scope; often used for public reputation, not just a chosen name
- answer to
informal; emphasises that the person responds to that name
文法句型
go by + name
go under the name (of) + name
用法筆記
Almost always passive in idea — the speaker is reporting which name a person chooses to be addressed by. Common subjects: people choosing a short form, a nickname, a stage name, or a pen name.
常見錯誤
32. of an event or situation — to unfold, succeed, or turn out in a certain way
of an event or situation — to unfold, succeed, or turn out in a certain way
How did your job interview at the bank go this morning?
how did + event + go?: asking about an outcome
Amelia's piano recital went really well, and the audience clapped for a long time.
go + adverb: report whether an event was a success
The first week at the new school did not go as smoothly as Aoi had hoped.
Things are going badly for the football team since the captain got injured in March.
Salma asked her sister how the surgery had gone and felt relief at the answer.
文法句型
go well / badly / smoothly
how did + event + go?
things are going + adverb
用法筆記
Almost always paired with an evaluative adverb (well, badly, smoothly, fine) or follows a question word about outcome (how, what such-and-such was like). Distinguish from sense 'BE UNDERWAY' (sense 2), which is about literal motion or journey progress.
常見錯誤
go — noun
- gosingular
- gosplural
1. a single try at doing something, especially something you have not done before
a single try at doing something, especially something you have not done before
Why not have a go at the cake recipe before the guests arrive on Sunday?
have a go at + noun: try doing something
Lakshmi gave the puzzle a go but still couldn't fit the last piece.
give something a go: try it once
Vivek had two goes at parking before the small car finally fit.
After failing the test once, Imani decided to have another go in the spring.
It looks hard, but you should give it a go before deciding to quit.
文法句型
have a go (at + noun / -ing)
give it a go
用法筆記
Mainly British informal English; Americans typically say 'try' or 'shot' (give it a shot). Almost always appears with 'have' or 'give' and the article 'a'.
常見錯誤
2. a serious effort over time to make a project, business, or plan succeed through
a serious effort over time to make a project, business, or plan succeed through hard work
Quinn and her partner are determined to make a go of the family bakery in Belfast.
make a go of + business/project: work to succeed at it
After moving to Lisbon, Vinícius really wants to make a go of his music career.
The couple promised each other they would make a go of their new marriage.
It took five long years to make a go of the small organic farm on the hill.
Salma is making a real go of the language school she opened last spring.
- succeed at
outcome-focused; 'make a go of' emphasises the effort, not just success
- make a success of
very close in meaning; slightly more formal
- give up on
abandon the effort
文法句型
make a go of + something
用法筆記
Almost always in the fixed phrase 'make a go of (something)'. Object is usually a business, relationship, project, or new chapter of life. Distinct from sense 1 (a single attempt) — this sense covers sustained effort across time.
常見錯誤
3. your chance to play, move, or speak when people are taking turns in an activity
your chance to play, move, or speak when people are taking turns in an activity
It's your go, Amelia — roll the dice and move your token forward.
it's someone's go: signalling whose turn
Noa waited patiently for her go on the slide while the other children played.
wait for someone's go: queue for a turn
Whose go is it next at the karaoke machine?
Each child had a go on the colourful pony at the village fair.
Aoi missed her go because she was answering a quick phone call.
文法句型
it's someone's go
have a go (in a game)
用法筆記
Common in board games, queues, and shared activities with children. Distinguish from sense 1 ('a single try'): this sense is about ordered turns, not about attempting something. Americans usually say 'turn' instead.
常見錯誤
4. an episode of angrily telling someone off, blaming them, or attacking them with
an episode of angrily telling someone off, blaming them, or attacking them with words
The neighbour had a go at Inês for letting her dog bark all night.
have a go at + person + for + reason
Don't have a go at the children just because the weekend plan fell apart.
The coach had a real go at the goalkeeper after the second easy goal.
Élise's father had a go at the builder for finishing the kitchen two months late.
Some readers had a go at the newspaper for publishing the photo without permission.
文法句型
have a go at + person
have a go at + person + for + reason
用法筆記
Always in the fixed phrase 'have a go at someone'. Distinct from sense 1 ('have a go at + activity' = try doing) — this sense takes a PERSON as the object, and the meaning is critical, not attempt-based. Often paired with 'for' + the reason.
常見錯誤
5. the energetic, lively quality that makes someone keen to act and stay busy
the energetic, lively quality that makes someone keen to act and stay busy
At eighty years old, Grandma Rin is still full of go from morning till night.
be full of go: have lots of energy
Imani's puppy has so much go that nobody can keep up on long walks.
The new manager brought a lot of go to the tired old office in October.
After the long flight, Christopher had no go left for the city tour.
Children at the summer camp showed plenty of go during the morning races.
- lethargy
formal; complete lack of energy
文法句型
be full of go
have plenty of go
用法筆記
Uncountable — never use 'a go' or plural 'goes' for this sense. Typical subjects are people, especially when contrasting youthful energy with tiredness. Slightly old-fashioned in tone.
常見錯誤
6. an East Asian strategy game where each side uses black or white pieces to surrou
an East Asian strategy game where each side uses black or white pieces to surround empty spaces and win territory
Aoi learned to play Go from her grandfather during the long winter evenings in Sapporo.
learn to play Go
A game of Go between two strong players can take several hours to finish.
a game of Go
The library opened a small Go club every Saturday for older students and adults.
Rin set out the wooden board and black and white stones to teach her son Go.
Vivek became interested in Go after watching a famous match online last year.
文法句型
play Go
a game of Go
用法筆記
Often capitalised as a proper noun in writing. Borrowed from Japanese; the game also has its own names in Chinese (Weiqi) and Korean (Baduk). Almost always paired with 'play', 'game of', or names of clubs and tournaments.
go — adjective
- gopositive
- goercomparative
- goestsuperlative
1. working as it should and ready for an event such as a launch, mission, or compet
working as it should and ready for an event such as a launch, mission, or competition to begin
Mission control announced that all systems were go for the rocket launch on Friday.
all systems are go: classic launch-readiness phrase
The engineers checked every cable twice and confirmed the test plane was go for takeoff.
be go for + activity: clear to begin
After the last safety check, Amelia gave a thumbs-up and said the team was go.
We are go for the morning press conference once the speakers stop crackling.
The director shouted that the cameras and lights were go for the opening scene.
- ready
the everyday neutral word; 'go' carries technical or live-broadcast flavour
- set
informal; works in similar contexts (we are set for launch)
- operational
formal and technical; emphasises a system actually running, not just prepared
- no-go
the direct opposite; signals a launch or activity will not proceed
文法句型
be go (for + activity)
all systems (are) go
用法筆記
Only used after a linking verb ('be', 'seem') — never before a noun. You cannot say 'a go system' or 'a go plane'. Strongly associated with aerospace, broadcasting, and live-event contexts; rare in everyday speech outside those settings. The fixed phrase 'all systems are go' is by far the most common form.