go on
1. verb To physically climb or otherwise move onto something. Someone will have to go on the roof to clean those gutters. I'm sorry, you want me to go on that winding mountain road? No way! We're going to go on the ferris wheel. Will you guys wait here for us?
2. verb To continue for a tedious or exasperating length of time. In this usage, "go on" is typically followed by "and on." That film was so stupid, and it just went on and on—I thought it would never be over! My date kept going on about his charity work, never even asking what I do for a living. I try to get a word in, but he always just goes on blathering away.
3. verb To engage in some activity or task. We went on a long walk around the neighborhood. When are you going on vacation? When do you go on your next tour of duty?
4. verb To stretch out from a particular place. The river seemed to go on for miles! The train tracks go on for quite a while, even though they're not in use anymore. I love having the window seat on a plane and watching the clouds and sky go on for as far as the eye can see.
5. verb To proceed or persist. Well, the party must go on, whether we have caterers or not! Can you believe that wisecracking kid went on to become a doctor? The graduation ceremony will go on, regardless of weather.
6. verb To use some kind of computer or digital platform, which is stated after "on." Do you mind if I go on your computer and check my email? Just go on the website to order it—it'll take two seconds. Can you go on your phone and look up the directions?
7. verb To use as evidence or as an explanation for something. You won't be arrested, not when the opposing council has nothing to go on. Please, that's pure speculation. You really don't have anything to go on, do you? The defense should be worried—we have some pretty damning evidence to go on.
8. verb To appear before an audience. You go on right before the headliner. The band didn't go on until nearly midnight. I think that act should go on first in the talent show.
9. verb To be approaching some age, either literally or figuratively. My daughter is going on 16 and is very excited to finally be able to drive. I feel like I'm 30 going on 80 with all these aches and pains! My roommates and I are all going on 21, but none of us have much interest in drinking.
10. verb To start working. A: "Has the TV gone on yet?" B: "No, there must be a blown fuse." I am pressing the "on" button, but the blender just won't go on! After almost three hours without power, the lights suddenly went on—thank goodness!
11. verb To begin taking or using a medication, which is stated after "on." My doctor wants me to go on blood-thinners, but the side-effects worry me. I had to go on a number of medications after my surgery. My anxiety was so bad in college that I finally went on medication.
12. verb To start broadcasting. I can't believe it's been 30 years since that show first went on. It feels like the networks cancel new shows almost as soon as they go on anymore. That show went on 20 years ago, and I truly don't know how they've managed to keep the same leads all this time.
13. verb To engage in some prolonged action, usually a change in one's normal routine. Starting in the new year, I'm going to go on a diet. The man who went on a violent rampage has not been found by police yet. I went on a binge this weekend and felt sick for days afterward.
14. expression Please continue speaking or explaining. A: "So, I lost your car." B: "Go on." Go on, we'd like to hear your complete side of the story. A: "Officer, I saw the suspect standing over the victim's body." B: "Is that so? OK, go on."
15. expression An invitation for someone to do something. Please go on—how wonderful was the gala? Go on, have a seat and tell me about yourself. I'm so jealous that you got to leave the cold for a tropical vacation. Go on, tell me all about it—I want to feel like I was there!
16. expression That's crazy or absurd! Oh, go on! You didn't really chase a bear out of your yard, did you? She claims to be a "self-made millionaire" when she comes from a famous, wealthy family? Pfft, go on. Go on, there's no way my brother used karate to fend off those attackers! For one thing, he doesn't know karate.
go on (doing something)
1. To persist in or continue to do something. I've found it hard to go on writing after receiving such negative reviews. We've got to find a bigger apartment. We just can't go on living like this! How am I supposed to go on living without the love of my life by my side?
2. To carry on with some irritating or unwelcome action. If you go on complaining about the weather for much longer, I'm going to scream! My date just went on talking about his charity work, never even asking what I do for a living. Do you really need to go on gulping your juice like that?
unable to go on
Not able to proceed or persist. After I twisted my ankle, I was unable to go on—that's why I didn't finish the race. Our company will be unable to go on for much longer if our sales don't improve.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.