Phrasal Verbs with “go”
"Go" combines with particles to make dozens of everyday phrasal verbs — from "go on" to "go off." Here are the most common ones, each with a plain meaning and an example.
Tip
"Go off" has opposite-feeling meanings — an alarm goes off (starts) but milk goes off (spoils). Context makes it clear.
12 phrasal verbs with “go”
go on
to continue; or to happen.
“Please go on with your story.”
go off
(of an alarm or bomb) to sound or explode; or (of food) to go bad.
“My alarm went off at six.”
go out
to leave home for a social event; or (of a light or fire) to stop burning.
“We're going out for dinner tonight.”
go over
to review or check something carefully.
“Let's go over the plan one more time.”
go through
to experience something difficult; or to examine in detail.
“She's going through a hard time.”
go back
to return to a place.
“I'd love to go back to Japan.”
go away
to leave; or to take a short holiday.
“We're going away for the weekend.”
go up
to increase or rise.
“Prices have gone up again.”
go down
to decrease or fall.
“The temperature went down overnight.”
go ahead
to proceed or begin.
“Go ahead and start without me.”
go for
to choose something; or to try to get it.
“I'll go for the salad, thanks.”
go without
to manage without something.
“They went without food for two days.”
Frequently asked
Does "go off" mean start or stop?
It depends. An alarm or bomb "goes off" (starts/explodes), but food "goes off" (becomes bad). The context tells you which meaning is intended.
What's the difference between "go on" and "carry on"?
They're very close — both mean continue. "Go on" can also mean "happen" (what's going on?), which "carry on" cannot.