Phrasal verbs combine a verb with a preposition or adverb to create a new meaning different from the verb alone. The verb go appears in many common phrasal verbs used in everyday English, conversation, and writing. Learning these phrases is essential because their meanings often cannot be guessed from go itself. In this article, you will learn the most frequently used phrasal verbs with go, with clear definitions and examples.
30 Phrasal Verbs with GO: Meanings & Examples
Below you’ll find a list of the most useful phrasal verbs with go. Each one combines go with a preposition or adverb to create a clear and specific meaning. The examples will help you understand how these phrasal verbs are commonly used in everyday English.
1. Go about
Meaning:
- To start doing something or approach a task.
- To behave in a particular way.
Examples:
- She went about her work methodically after the training.
- He goes about his day quietly, without drawing attention.
2. Go after
Meaning:
- To chase or pursue something or someone.
- To try to obtain or achieve something.
Examples:
- The police went after the suspect through the alley.
- She’s going after a promotion this quarter.
3. Go against
Meaning:
- To oppose or conflict with someone or something.
- To do something that contradicts advice, rules, or norms.
Examples:
- That decision goes against everything we planned.
- Going against your doctor’s advice may worsen the condition.
4. Go by
Meaning:
- To pass (time or something).
- To use as a reference or name.
Examples:
- Years go by so quickly when you’re busy.
- She goes by the name “Liz” at work.
5. Go down
Meaning:
- To decrease or lower.
- To be remembered or recorded.
- (Informal) To be swallowed or consumed.
Examples:
- Prices went down after the sale.
- That event will go down in history.
- That joke didn’t go down well with the audience.
6. Go up
Meaning:
- To increase or rise.
- To be built or constructed.
- To explode (informal).
Examples:
- The number of subscribers went up significantly.
- A new tower is going up downtown.
- The old factory went up in flames last night.
7. Go with
Meaning:
- To match or suit.
- To accompany someone.
- To choose or accept something.
Examples:
- That tie goes well with your shirt.
- I’ll go with you to the event.
- We’ll go with option B for the solution.
8. Go away
Meaning:
- To leave a place.
- To disappear or stop bothering.
Examples:
- Please go away and give me some space.
- That headache didn’t go away until I rested.
9. Go through
Meaning:
- To experience something difficult or challenging.
- To examine or look at something carefully.
- To use up supplies.
Examples:
- She’s going through a tough time after the illness.
- Let’s go through the contract before signing.
- We went through all the files yesterday.
10. Go over
Meaning:
- To review or explain in detail.
- To visit someone.
- To be received or regarded in a certain way.
Examples:
- We need to go over these results together.
- Why don’t we go over to their house later?
- His speech went over well with the audience.
11. Go ahead
Meaning:
- To proceed with something after permission.
- To start before others or before an agreed time.
Examples:
- The boss said we can go ahead with the project.
- You can go ahead; I’ll catch up soon.
12. Go along
Meaning:
- To agree or support an idea.
- To accompany or continue moving with someone.
Examples:
- I went along with their suggestion to save time.
- We went along the coast during our road trip.
13. Go around
Meaning:
- To circulate (news or rumors).
- To visit different places or people.
Examples:
- A new rumor is going around the office.
- We’ll go around the neighborhood and drop invitations.
14. Go at
Meaning:
- To attack or criticize forcefully.
- To tackle a task with energy.
Examples:
- She went at him angrily after the argument.
- He went at the problem with renewed focus.
15. Go back
Meaning:
- To return to a place.
- To date from a certain time in the past.
Examples:
- I have to go back to the office later.
- That tradition goes back centuries.
16. Go in
Meaning:
- To enter a place.
- To be included or fit inside something.
Examples:
- They went in when it started raining.
- That document didn’t go in the packet.
17. Go on
Meaning:
- To continue or happen.
- To encourage someone to do something.
- To rely on or depend on.
Examples:
- Please go on—I’m listening.
- He went on to lead the team to victory.
- We can’t go on without your approval.
18. Go off
Meaning:
- To explode or ring (alarm).
- To spoil (food).
- To stop liking someone or something.
Examples:
- The fireworks went off at midnight.
- This milk will go off soon; use it quickly.
- She went off coffee last year.
19. Go out
Meaning:
- To leave home to socialise.
- To stop burning (light, fire).
- To become known or out-of-date.
Examples:
- They go out every Friday night.
- The lights went out during the storm.
- Old fashions go out and come back again.
20. Go under
Meaning:
- To sink (ship) or collapse (business).
- To undergo surgery or treatment.
Examples:
- The boat went under after the storm.
- The company went under last year.
- He’s going under the knife next month.
21. Go without
Meaning: To manage without something essential.
Examples:
- We’ll go without electricity if the storm worsens.
- I can’t go without my morning coffee.
22. Go in for
Meaning:
- To participate in something.
- To have a liking or inclination for something.
Examples:
- She went in for the marathon this year.
- He really goes in for science fiction books.
23. Go out with
Meaning:
- To date someone.
- To leave home with someone socially.
Examples:
- They go out with each other since college.
- I’m going out with friends tonight.
24. Go over to
Meaning:
- To move to someone or something physically.
- To change allegiance or style.
Examples:
- Let’s go over to their table and say hi.
- She went over to the other political party recently.
25. Go for
Meaning:
- To choose or attempt something.
- To attack.
- To have a liking for something.
Examples:
- I’ll go for the chicken instead of beef.
- The dog went for the mailman.
- He really goes for classic rock music.
26. Go into
Meaning:
- To enter a place or begin examining something in detail.
- To start a business or subject.
Examples:
- She went into the building quietly.
- Let’s go into the details after lunch.
27. Go through with
Meaning: To complete something difficult or unwelcome.
Examples:
- She went through with the surgery despite her fear.
- We went through with the plan, even though it was risky.
28. Go back on
Meaning: To break a promise or reverse a decision.
Examples:
- He went back on his word, yet again.
- Don’t go back on that agreement now.
29. Go together
Meaning:
- To match or look good collectively.
- To have a relationship.
Examples:
- Those shoes go together with that dress.
- They’ve been going together since university.
30. Go down with
Meaning: To become ill with an illness.
Examples:
- A lot of people went down with flu last winter.
- He went down with a stomach bug and stayed home.
Quiz: Phrasal Verbs with GO
1. He decided to ____ his dream of becoming a pilot.
a) go after
b) go in
c) go with
2. She usually ____ her day by checking emails.
a) goes through
b) goes about
c) goes down
3. We can’t ____ our promise now.
a) go through
b) go back on
c) go into
4. The lights suddenly ____ during the storm.
a) went off
b) went about
c) went over
5. I don’t know what’s ____ here.
a) going up
b) going in
c) going on
6. They ____ a lot last year after the accident.
a) went after
b) went through
c) went out
7. Prices have ____ rapidly in the past month.
a) gone off
b) gone up
c) gone under
8. He ____ the details of the plan one more time.
a) went about
b) went off
c) went over
9. Let’s ____ to Sarah’s house after the movie.
a) go over
b) go in for
c) go out
10. Is she still ____ that guy from the office?
a) going out with
b) going in for
c) going through with
Quiz Answers
1) go after
2) goes about
3) go back on
4) went off
5) going on
6) went through
7) gone up
8) went over
9) go over
10) going out with
