19 Phrasal Verbs with GO: Meanings, Examples & Quiz

The verb go is one of the most common verbs in English, but did you know that it forms dozens of useful phrasal verbs?

You probably already know expressions such as go out, go back and go away. But what about go through, go against or go without?

These expressions are common in everyday conversations, and some are also useful in more formal situations.

In this lesson, we’ll explore 19 phrasal verbs with GO, with clear meanings and natural example sentences. You’ll also discover how the same phrasal verb can have several different meanings.

Whether you’re improving your everyday English or preparing for a Cambridge B2 First exam, learning these expressions in context will help you understand and use them more naturally.

What are Phrasal Verbs?

Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and one or more short words called particles (adverbs or prepositions).

Sometimes, their meanings are easy to understand:

Go back – return to a place or activity.
Go up – increase.

Other phrasal verbs have meanings that are less obvious:

Go through – experience something difficult.
Go off – become unsuitable to eat, make a sudden noise or explode.

Many phrasal verbs have more than one meaning, so it’s important to learn them through complete sentences rather than memorising isolated definitions.

Although some phrasal verbs are informal, others are perfectly acceptable in formal English.

Let’s look at 19 useful expressions with go.

1. Go after

Meaning 1: To try to get or achieve something.

We use go after when someone actively tries to achieve a goal or obtain something they want.

He gave up his office job to go after his dream of becoming a musician.

Meaning 2: To chase or pursue someone or something.

The police went after the suspect.

Go after often suggests determination, whether you’re pursuing a goal or chasing something physically.

2. Go against

Meaning 1: To oppose something or act contrary to it.

We use go against when someone disagrees with, opposes or acts contrary to a rule, belief, decision or principle.

Her decision to leave university went against her parents’ wishes.

Meaning 2: To have an unfavourable result for someone or something.

The court’s decision went against him.

Notice that go against is often followed by words such as rules, wishes, principles, advice and decisions.

3. Go along (with)

Meaning 1: To agree with or accept someone’s suggestion or plan.

We use go along with when we agree to something, sometimes even if we’re not completely convinced.

I wasn’t sure about the idea, but I decided to go along with it.

Meaning 2: To continue or make progress.

Without with, the expression can describe how something develops or progresses.

We’ll deal with any problems as we go along.

The phrase as we go along is particularly common when discussing plans that may change during an activity.

4. Go around

Meaning 1: To move around a place or from one place to another.

The teacher went around the classroom checking everyone’s work.

Meaning 2: To circulate or spread among people.

There’s a rumour going around that our company is moving.

Meaning 3: To behave in a particular way repeatedly.

You can’t go around blaming other people for your mistakes.

Useful expression:

What goes around comes around.

This saying suggests that the way you treat other people may eventually affect how you are treated.

5. Go at

Meaning 1: To attack someone or something.

The two dogs suddenly went at each other.

Meaning 2: To do something with great energy or determination.

She went at the task with enthusiasm.

The second meaning often describes someone working energetically, especially when facing a difficult task.

6. Go away

Meaning 1: To leave a place.

The children went away when the rain started.

Be careful with the command Go away! It can sound quite rude or unfriendly, depending on the situation.

Meaning 2: To leave home for a holiday or short trip.

We’re going away for the weekend.

In British English, go away for the weekend is a very natural expression.

7. Go back

Meaning 1: To return to a place.

I had to go back to the shop because I’d forgotten my wallet.

Meaning 2: To return to a previous activity, situation or habit.

After having her baby, she went back to teaching.

Meaning 3: To have known someone for a long time.

Sarah and I go back a long way. We met at university.

The expression We go back a long way is a lovely way to describe a long friendship or relationship.

8. Go by

Meaning 1: To pass, especially when talking about time or movement.

She sat by the window watching people go by.

We often use go by when talking about how quickly or slowly time passes.

Meaning 2: To follow or use something as a guide.

Don’t go by appearances. He’s much friendlier than he looks.

The second meaning is useful when discussing rules, evidence, information and first impressions.

9. Go down

Meaning 1: To decrease or become lower.

The temperature went down during the night.

We often use go down to talk about prices, temperatures, numbers and levels.

Meaning 2: To stop working, especially a computer system or website.

The website went down just before the deadline.

Meaning 3: To be received or accepted in a particular way.

Her speech went down well with the audience.

Meaning 4: To be remembered or recorded in history.

The event will go down in history as an important turning point.

We also say that the sun goes down when it sets.

10. Go for

Meaning 1: To choose or prefer something.

I think I’ll go for the vegetable soup.

This meaning is common when making everyday decisions.

Meaning 2: To try to achieve or obtain something.

She’s going for a promotion this year.

Useful expression: Go for it!

We say Go for it! to encourage someone to take an opportunity or try something.

‘I’m thinking of starting my own business.’
‘That’s a great idea! Go for it!‘

Another useful expression is the same goes for, meaning that something is also true of another person or thing.

Exercise is important for adults, and the same goes for children.

11. Go In

Meaning 1: To enter a place.

It’s getting cold outside. Shall we go in?

Meaning 2: To be understood or remembered.

In informal British English, we sometimes use go in when information is difficult to understand or remember.

I’ve read the instructions three times, but they still haven’t gone in.

This meaning is particularly useful when talking about studying and learning.

12. Go in for

Meaning 1: To enjoy or be interested in something.

We use go in for when talking about activities, hobbies or things that someone particularly likes or dislikes.

I’ve never really gone in for competitive sports.

Meaning 2: To enter a competition or examination.

She decided to go in for a photography competition.

This expression is more common in British English than in some other varieties.

13. Go off

Meaning 1: To make a sudden noise or explode.

My alarm went off at six o’clock this morning.

Meaning 2: To become unsuitable to eat or drink.

This is a particularly useful expression in British English.

Don’t drink that milk. It’s gone off.

Meaning 3: To stop working or become switched off.

The lights suddenly went off.

As you can see, the meaning of go off depends heavily on the context.

14. Go on

Meaning 1: To continue doing something.

He went on talking even though everyone was tired.

Meaning 2: To happen or take place.

Nobody knew what was going on in the office.

Meaning 3: To encourage someone to do something.

Go on, have another piece of cake!

The expression What’s going on? is one of the most useful everyday questions in English.

15. Go over

Meaning 1: To examine, check or review something carefully.

Let’s go over the answers before we finish.

This meaning is particularly useful for students and people working in an office.

Meaning 2: To move to another place or visit someone.

Shall we go over to Anna’s house after dinner?

When studying, go over your notes is a useful alternative to review your notes.

16. Go through

Meaning 1: To experience something difficult or unpleasant.

She’s going through a difficult time at work.

Meaning 2: To examine or search something carefully.

I need to go through my notes before the exam.

Meaning 3: To be officially approved or completed successfully.

The proposal finally went through after several meetings.

Go through is particularly useful for B2–C1 learners because it appears in conversations about experiences, work, education and official procedures.

17. Go up

Meaning 1: To increase or become higher.

Food prices have gone up again.

We commonly use go up with prices, temperatures, numbers and costs.

Meaning 2: To be built or constructed.

A new shopping centre is going up near the station.

Notice the difference:

House prices are going up. – Prices are increasing.
New houses are going up. – Houses are being built.

18. Go with

Meaning 1: To choose or accept something.

I think we should go with Sarah’s suggestion.

Meaning 2: To match or look good together.

That scarf goes with your coat.

Meaning 3: To be included or provided together with something.

The garage goes with the house.

Go with is useful in conversations about decisions, fashion, shopping and everyday arrangements.

19. Go without

Meaning 1: To manage without something you need or would normally have.

We had to go without heating for two days.

Useful expression: It goes without saying (that)…

We use this expression when something is so obvious that it doesn’t need to be explained.

It goes without saying that you should arrive on time for a job interview.

This expression is useful in both spoken and written English, including more formal contexts.

How to Remember Phrasal Verbs with GO

Learning 19 phrasal verbs at once might seem like a lot, especially when several of them have more than one meaning.

You don’t need to memorise everything immediately.

Here are three practical ways to remember them.

Learn them in complete sentences.

Instead of memorising go through = experience, learn a sentence such as:

She’s going through a difficult time.

The situation helps you remember the meaning.

Group similar expressions together.

For example:

Go up – increase.
Go down – decrease.
Go back – return.
Go away – leave.

You can also compare expressions that have similar meanings, such as go after and go for.

Make your own examples.

Choose five phrasal verbs and write sentences about your own life.

For example:

I’m going after a better job.
I need to go over my notes.
We’re going away next weekend.

The more you use these expressions, the more familiar they become.

Quiz

Free Phrasal Verbs Practice Workbook

Want more practice?

I’ve created a FREE 53-page workbook with 100 useful phrasal verbs for everyday English.

It includes clear meanings, example sentences, vocabulary exercises, revision activities and an answer key.

It’s ideal for B1–B2 learners who want to practise independently.

📘 Download Your Free 100 Phrasal Verbs Workbook

You can also explore our lesson on 100 Phrasal Verbs for Everyday Use for more useful expressions.

Learn Phrasal Verbs Through Stories

Knowing what a phrasal verb means is one thing. Remembering it and using it naturally is another!

If you prefer learning vocabulary through stories rather than memorising long lists, explore my Unlock English Phrasal Verbs Collection (A2–C1).

The three-book collection contains 90 illustrated short stories, clear explanations and practice exercises to help you understand how phrasal verbs work in real situations.

📚 Explore the Unlock English Books

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4 Comments

lovertariq · 23 Apr 2018 at 7:26 am

this is really great and informative post
thank you so much

antripartoblog · 24 Apr 2018 at 12:13 am

I’m glad you like it!

AbuAbuoba · 17 Jan 2021 at 3:29 pm

Verey usefull

Collocations with GO - My Lingua Academy · 2 Apr 2026 at 10:13 am

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