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Phrasal verbs with "go" are essential for mastering English. They appear in casual speech, literature, and professional settings, often carrying meanings beyond the basic verb "go." Learning them will not only improve your fluency but also help you better understand English books, movies, and conversations.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to "go" phrasal verbs, their meanings, synonyms, and real examples from public domain literature. These extended quotes will not only help you grasp their meaning but may also introduce you to some great books worth reading.
Essential Phrasal Verbs with "Go" – A Handy Table
Detailed Exploration of Each Phrasal Verb
Go after
Meaning: To chase, follow, or try to achieve something.
Example from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle:
"You must go after him, Watson," said Holmes. "There is not an instant to be lost!"Watson hesitated only for a moment before rushing out onto the dimly lit street. The figure was disappearing into the fog, and the sound of hurried footsteps echoed against the cobblestones. "Holmes," Watson called over his shoulder, "what if he’s armed?"
Go ahead
Meaning: To move forward with an action or decision.
Example from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum:
"If you wish to cross the river," said the Scarecrow, "you must go ahead and try the raft."Dorothy looked at the rushing water and hesitated. "But what if it tips over?"
"You’ll never know unless you try," the Tin Woodman said with a nod. "So let’s go ahead and push it into the water."
Go along
Meaning: To accept something or to move together with someone.
Example from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen:
"I do not entirely go along with your opinion, sir," she said, "but I will listen with patience."
Mr. Darcy’s expression did not change. "You surprise me, Miss Bennet. I thought you had more trust in my judgment."
Elizabeth raised her chin slightly. "I do not doubt your sincerity, only your conclusions."
Go around
Meaning: To move in a circular way or be shared among people.
Example from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens:
"There is talk of revolution, and it will not be long before rumors go around the city like wildfire."
Madame Defarge sat knitting, her fingers steady despite the rising tension in the air. "The time will come," she murmured, "when those who have oppressed us will learn that whispers can be more dangerous than swords."
Go away
Meaning: To depart or vanish.
Example from Dracula by Bram Stoker:
"I tried to make the vision go away, but it haunted me still.
The pale face at the window, the eyes filled with unnatural hunger—it was gone now, but the feeling of dread remained. 'Jonathan,' I whispered, clutching his arm, 'was it real, or just my imagination?'"
Go back
Meaning: To revisit or retreat.
Example from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll:
"I cannot go back to yesterday, because I was a different person then," said Alice.
She frowned at the Mad Hatter, who only grinned wider. "And yet," he said, "you are still here today. Isn’t that curious?"
Go by
Meaning: To allow time to pass or to adhere to something.
Example from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens:
"The days go by quickly, and soon the summer will be gone.
Pip sat by the river, watching the water ripple and swirl. It felt like only yesterday he had been a boy, running barefoot through the fields. Now, the weight of expectations pressed upon him. How swiftly time moved—too swift, perhaps, for a man uncertain of his own future."
Go down
Meaning: To decline, be recorded in history, or occur.
Example from Moby-Dick by Herman Melville:
"This will surely go down as the greatest hunt ever recorded," the first mate murmured. Captain Ahab stood at the helm, his eyes fixed on the endless horizon. "Only if we live to tell the tale," he said grimly.
Go for
Meaning: To attempt something or make a selection.
Example from The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett:
"If you want something, you must go for it with all your heart." Mary clenched her fists. "I shall find the key. I shall enter the garden." The wind rustled the ivy-covered wall as if whispering secrets. She took a deep breath and stepped forward, determined to uncover what had been hidden for so long.
Go in
Meaning: To physically or metaphorically enter.
Example from Dracula by Bram Stoker:
"Jonathan hesitated before he dared to go in. The castle loomed before him, its vast wooden doors slightly ajar, revealing only darkness beyond. He took a step forward, his heartbeat quickening. The silence inside was thick, oppressive, almost alive. As he crossed the threshold, a gust of cold air sent a shiver down his spine."
Go into
Meaning: To examine something deeply or to join a field of work.
Example from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë:
"I will not go into detail now, but my childhood was filled with hardship," Jane said softly.
Miss Temple leaned forward, her expression thoughtful. "Yet, you have endured. That is something to be proud of."Jane nodded, her fingers tracing the rim of her teacup. "Some things are best left in the past, but I cannot deny they shaped who I am."
Go off
Meaning: To suddenly activate or cease functioning.
Example from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle:
"The alarm went off just as Holmes had predicted.
A piercing sound filled the air, followed by the heavy crash of footsteps upstairs. Holmes sprang into action. 'Quick, Watson!' he called. 'Our quarry will not escape us now!'"
Go on
Meaning: To persist or occur.
Example from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll:
"‘Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?’ Alice asked.
‘That depends a good deal on where you want to go on to,’ said the Cat.
Alice sighed. 'I don't much care where—'
'Then it doesn’t matter which way you go on,' said the Cat, grinning from the shadows."
Go out
Meaning: To exit a place, date someone, or lose power.
Example from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens:
"The lights went out, one by one, as the city prepared for an uncertain dawn.
Lucie stood at the window, clutching her shawl, whispering a prayer for those whose fate hung in the balance. The darkness outside mirrored the growing fear within her heart."
Go over
Meaning: To examine carefully.
Example from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen:
"‘Let us go over the letter once more,’ said Elizabeth.
Jane unfolded the parchment, her hands trembling slightly. 'I do not wish to doubt his sincerity,' she murmured, 'but neither can I forget his past actions.'Elizabeth exhaled slowly. 'Then we must decide if we trust him now, not who he was before.'"
Go through
Meaning: To endure hardship or review details.
Example from Les Misérables by Victor Hugo:
"I have gone through much suffering, but I remain unbroken," Valjean whispered.
Cosette reached for his hand. "And yet, you found kindness within you."Valjean sighed. "Perhaps because I have seen the absence of it too many times."
Go under
Meaning: To collapse, usually financially.
Example from Moby-Dick by Herman Melville:
"If the ship takes on more water, we will go under.
Captain Ahab’s grip tightened on the wheel, his eyes locked on the distant, monstrous shape of the white whale. 'Then let it be so,' he murmured, 'for I shall not leave this world without facing him one last time.'"
Go up
Meaning: To rise or grow.
Example from The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde:
"The curtain went up, revealing a scene of exquisite beauty.
Dorian leaned forward in his seat, captivated, his heart pounding. The actress on the stage moved with grace, her voice rich with emotion. 'This,' he whispered, 'is what true art must be.'"
Go without
Meaning: To endure a lack of something.
Example from Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens:
"For days, Oliver had gone without proper food.
His small hands trembled as he held out the bowl, his voice barely above a whisper. 'Please, sir, I want some more.'The master stared at him, spoon frozen mid-air. A murmur spread through the dining hall. Oliver lowered his gaze, bracing for what was to come. He had known hunger before, but never had he dared to ask for more."
Go against
Meaning: To contradict or challenge something.
Example from Hamlet by William Shakespeare:
"To go against one’s own conscience is the greatest of betrayals.
Hamlet stood in the dim torchlight, his fingers curling around the hilt of his sword. 'To be or not to be,' he whispered, 'that is the question.'The walls of Elsinore seemed to press in on him, demanding an answer. Could he defy fate, or would he surrender to the path already laid before him?"
Learning phrasal verbs will not only improve your English fluency but also help you understand classic books and conversations better. These verbs frequently appear in literature and daily speech, making them essential for mastering English.
