go for (something)
1. To go (to some place) in order to get something. I'm going for coffee. Do you want one? Would you mind going for bread? We're all out. I'm going for my own prescription, so I can pick yours up to.
2. To undertake some activity, especially a physically active one, that involves leaving one's current location. I think I'll go for a run in the morning. Why don't we all go for a bike ride this weekend? It's such a beautiful day—why don't we go for a drive through the countryside?
3. To bring in a certain amount of money when sold. These computers usually go for around $3,000, so you're getting a really good deal. I heard their house went for £1.5 million. Should I be concerned about a used car that's going for only $5,000?
4. To last, endure, or continue to function for some amount of time. Those old mobile phones could go for days at a time without needing to be charged. I was so broke that I once went for nearly a month eating nothing but beans and rice. OK, so you can go for two days without sleeping—but should you?
5. To attempt to achieve or obtain some goal, objective, status, etc. I'm going for a PhD in applied physics. If you really want to become a writer, then you should just go for it, dude. Go for it! I think you'd be a great choice for student council president.
6. To compete for some goal or prize. She's going for a gold medal in the 100-meter dash this afternoon. It really knocks your confidence down a peg to see how many actors are going for the same tiny role as you. The Rangers are going for the win today to secure themselves a playoff spot.
7. To opt for something; to choose some option. I just went for a basic laptop in the end. I really didn't need some fancy high-end PC. I think I'll go for the lasagna. What do you think you'll order? I always go for the window seat so I can get some sleep on the flight.
8. To attack, strike, or aim for some particular part or point. The assailant went straight for the neck of his victim. OK, team, we're nearing our target. Remember to go for the turrets mounted along the top of the fortress. When you fight this boss, you need to go for the glowing orb in the middle of his forehead—that's his weak point.
9. To accept, welcome, or choose to support something. I'd love to work from home full-time, but my boss wouldn't go for that. My parents seem to be going for the idea of me spending the summer in Maine with my cousins. How can I convince the editor to go for this article idea?
10. To desire to do or have something. Usually used after "could." I could really go for a cheeseburger right about now! Let's take a 10-minute break. I think we all could go for a little fresh air and a stretch of the legs. I could usually go for something sweet after dinner.
11. To like, enjoy, or prefer something. I've never really gone for romantic comedies, to be honest. Tom had always gone for sports growing up, but after he left college his interest waned quite a bit. Lily has never gone for pink and sparkles, the way some little girls do.
go for it
To put forth the necessary effort or energy to do or pursue something, especially in the face of any doubt or trepidation. Often used as words of encouragement. Sam: "I'm thinking of asking Dave out on a date, but what if he says no?" Mike: "Just go for it, dude! You'll never know unless you ask!" I knew I wouldn't win the marathon, but I still went for it with everything I had. Go for it! I think you'd be a great choice for student council president.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
go for
1. Go in order to get, as in I'll go for the paper, or He went for the doctor. This usage, dating from the late 1500s, gave rise to the 20th-century noun gofer, a person who is habitually sent on routine errands.
2. Be equivalent to or valued as; also, pass for, serve as. For example, All our efforts are going for very little, or That silver went for a lot of money, or That sofa can go for a bed. [Mid-1500s]
3. Aim or try for, especially making a vigorous effort. For example,
They're going for the league championship. This idiom is also put as
go for it, as in
When Steve said he'd like to change careers, his wife told him to go for it. The related phrase
go for broke means "to commit all one's available resources toward achieving a goal," as in
Our competitors are going for broke to get some of our accounts. The first expression dates from the mid-1500s; the two colloquial variants from the first half of the 1900s. Also see
all out;
go out for.
4. Attack, as in We have to tie up our dog, because he loves to go for letter carriers. A hyperbolic variant, go for the jugular, is used for an all-out attack on the most vital part, as in In political arguments he always goes for the jugular. The jugular is a blood vessel whose rupture is life-threatening. [Colloquial; late 1800s]
5. Have a special liking for, as in I really go for progressive jazz. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]
6. Be valid for or applicable to, as in
Kevin hates broccoli, and that goes for Dean, too. [Early 1900s] Also see
have going for one.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
go for
v.1. To reach or move toward something or someone: When the police officer looked away, the thief went for the door.
2. To reach or move toward something or someone in order to attack or injure: The angry dog went straight for my leg. The debater went for her opponents weaknesses.
3. To try to grab something quickly, especially a weapon: The soldier went for the knife on the table, but slipped and fell down.
4. To make a concerted effort to achieve some goal: I am going for my second tournament win. If you think you have a chance of winning, go for it. The running back saw an opening and went for it. Whenever I see an opportunity to make more money, I go for it.
5. To try to attain or produce some condition: The restaurant is going for a rustic atmosphere. Today's fashions are going for a colorful look.
6. To choose something: After trying all the different flavors, I went for the vanilla ice cream.
7. To have a special liking for something; enjoy something: My parents go for the older styles of jazz. I could really go for a beer right now.
8. To leave temporarily in order to fetch or get something: We're going for pizza; do you want to come along?
9. To apply or be relevant to someone or something: These rules go for the adults as well as the children. It's hard to eat pizza without making a mess, and the same goes for ice cream cones.
10. To be sold or available for purchase at some price: This phone normally goes for $100, but we'll give it to you for $60. How much did that old house finally go for? That painting will probably go for $1000 at auction, but I wouldn't pay one cent.
11. To be of support or value to someone: She had everything going for her after the success of her last album, but she threw it all away on drugs and alcohol. The team has a lot going for them. The one thing going for him is his talent for making people laugh; otherwise he's a failure.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.