20 phrasal verbs with “GO”

Phrasal verbs are phrases that indicate actions. They are generally used in spoken English and informal texts. Examples of such verbs include: turn down, come across and run into.

Sometimes it is difficult to understand the meaning of phrasal verbs. Before looking them up in a dictionary, it would be helpful to use the context to understand them.

Some phrasal verbs have literal meaning while others have a more idiomatic meaning. For instance, the verb “get down” depending on context can mean:

Literally move downwards: If there is an earthquake, get down on your knees and crawl under a desk.
Make someone depressed: This time of the year, the weather always gets me down.

Here is a list of 20 phrasal verbs using the verb “GO”

Go after: 1. to pursue in an attempt to catch another, 2. To pursue a goal or objective.

Examples: 1. Police, please go after that man who stole my purse! 2. She is so focused and always goes after what she wants.

Go against: 1. to breach or break. 2. To oppose or resist.

Examples: 1. You can’t smoke here, it goes against the rules. 2. In a dictatorship, no one dares go against the ruling party.

Go all out: to spare no expenses.

Example: For their 20^th wedding anniversary, they went all out and hired Madonna to sing a couple songs!

Go by: to be called, to use as name.

Example: Her name is too long so she goes by Jos.

Go for: to try for something or attempt to do something.

Example: I have always wanted to go for a higher paying job but I am too scared.

Go off: 1. to explode as in being mad. 2. to expire.

Examples: 1. Martin’s boss is constantly going off and shouting at everybody. 2. I hope this milk hasn’t gone off.

Go on: to continue or proceed with something.

Example: I am not sure if I can go on working with such a messy co-worker.

Go through: to suffer/experience something.

Example: Going through your first breakup can be traumatizing.

Go through with: to do something as planned.

Example: She wanted to marry him in December, but I am not sure she will go through with it.

Go towards: to contribute to something.

Example: All my time is going towards helping people learn English.

Go under: to collapse/declare bankruptcy.

Example: Many companies have gone under in the last 5 months.

Go up: 1. to hang something somewhere/ to publish something somewhere 2. to get higher.

Examples: 1. This ad will go up on sunset boulevard. 2. The prices have gone up 10% in comparison to last year’s holiday season.

Go without: to live without something.

Example: Many people will go without a nice meal on Christmas Eve.

Go over: to review something carefully.

Example: It is important to go over all the details before signing the agreement.

Go along with: to cooperate or agree with something/someone.

Example: I don’t want to have problems with my co-worker so I usually just go along with that she wants.

Go about: to carry on with your activities.

Example: Larry always drops by and says hello when he goes about his business in the city center.

Go ahead: to continue or proceed.

Example: My boss said I can go ahead and try to get that client we’ve been discussing!

Go into: to speak about something in detail.

Example: Why I left my job is not something I want to go into at the moment.

Go back on: to deny or retract from a promise you have made before.

Example: My supervisor promised me a raise if I got a big client and now he’s going back on his word and refuses to raise my salary!

Go overboard: to act in an extreme way or do too much.

Example: He hired 2 clowns, a magician, and 5 people to play characters from Shrek for his son’s 1^st birthday. You could say he went overboard with it.

If you’d like to practice these phrasal verbs head on to our quizlet by clicking here!
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