Get vs. Go — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 16, 2024
"Get" implies acquisition or receiving something, while "go" refers to movement from one place to another.
Difference Between Get and Go
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The verb "get" primarily focuses on the act of obtaining or becoming, suggesting a transition into a state or possession of something. "Go," on the other hand, indicates travel or movement from one location to another, emphasizing the action of transit rather than acquisition.
"Get" can also express understanding or grasping concepts, as in getting a joke. Whereas "go" does not involve comprehension but is used to start a process or activity, like going to start dinner.
In usage, "get" often requires an object to complete its meaning, such as getting a book. "Go" typically pairs with adverbs or prepositions to denote direction or destinations, like going up the stairs.
Different forms of "get" include getting, got, and gotten (American English), reflecting various tenses and aspects. "Go" changes to going, went, and gone, showcasing its use across different grammatical structures.
Contextually, "get" can imply effort or requirement to obtain something, like getting approval. "Go" suggests a more straightforward action, primarily focused on the act of movement, such as going home.
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Comparison Chart
Basic Meaning
To obtain or become
To move or travel
Example Usage
Get a book, get tired
Go home, go up
Forms
Gets, getting, got, gotten
Goes, going, went, gone
Common Combinations
Get ready, get along
Go away, go out
Figurative Use
Get the picture, get going
Go for broke, go bananas
Compare with Definitions
Get
To acquire something.
She got a new car.
Go
To leave a place.
It's late; we should go.
Get
To cause something to happen.
Get the door open.
Go
To function or work.
The engine won’t go.
Get
To understand or comprehend.
Did you get the joke?
Go
To travel from one place to another.
Let's go to the beach.
Get
To become or change state.
He got tired after the hike.
Go
To proceed or continue.
Go ahead with your presentation.
Get
To arrive at a place.
When did you get home?
Go
To be spent or used up.
All the cookies went fast.
Get
Come to have (something); receive
I got a letter from him the other day
What kind of reception did you get?
Go
Move from one place to another; travel
We've a long way to go
She longs to go back home
He went out to the shops
Get
Succeed in attaining, achieving, or experiencing; obtain
He got a teaching job in California
I need all the sleep I can get
Go
Leave; depart
I really must go
Get
Reach or cause to reach a specified state or condition
I need to get my hair cut
He'd got thinner
It's getting late
You'll get used to it
Go
Intend or be likely or intended to be or do something (used to express a future tense)
She's going to have a baby
I'm going to be late for work
Get
Come, go, or make progress eventually or with some difficulty
Nigel got home very late
He hadn't got very far with the book yet
Go
Pass into or be in a specified state, especially an undesirable one
The food is going bad
No one went hungry in our house
He's gone crazy
Get
See have
Go
Proceed or turn out in a specified way
At first all went well
How did the weekend go?
Get
Catch or apprehend (someone)
The police have got him
Go
Be harmonious, complementary, or matching
Rosemary goes with roast lamb
The earrings and the scarf don't really go
Get
Understand (an argument or the person making it)
What do you mean? I don't get it
Go
(of a machine or device) function
My car won't go
Get
Acquire (knowledge) by study; learn
That knowledge which is gotten at school
Go
Contribute to or be put into (a whole)
Considerable effort went into making the operation successful
Get
An animal's offspring.
Go
(of an article) be regularly kept or put in a particular place
Remember which card goes in which slot
Get
A person whom the speaker dislikes or despises.
Go
(of a song or account) have a specified content or wording
If you haven't heard it, the story goes like this
Get
To come into possession or use of; receive
Got a cat for her birthday.
Go
Use a toilet; urinate or defecate
He had to go but couldn't, because she was still in the bathroom
Get
To meet with or incur
Got nothing but trouble for her efforts.
Go
An attempt or trial at something
Have a go at answering the questions yourself
Get
To go after and obtain
Got a book at the library.
Got breakfast in town.
Go
A person's turn to use or do something
Come on Tony, it's your go
I had a go on Nigel's racing bike
Get
To go after and bring
Get me a pillow.
Go
Spirit, animation, or energy
There's no go in me at all these days
Get
To purchase; buy
Get groceries.
Go
A state of affairs
This seems a rum sort of go
Get
To acquire as a result of action or effort
He got his information from the internet. You can't get water out of a stone.
Go
An enterprise which has been approved
Tell them the project is a go
Get
To earn
Got high marks in math.
Go
A Japanese board game of territorial possession and capture.
Get
To accomplish or attain as a result of military action.
Go
Functioning properly
All systems go
Get
To obtain by concession or request
Couldn't get the time off.
Got permission to go.
Go
To move or travel; proceed
We will go by bus. Solicitors went from door to door seeking donations. How fast can the boat go?.
Get
To arrive at; reach
When did you get home?.
Go
To move away from a place; depart
Go before I cry.
Get
To reach and board; catch
She got her plane two minutes before takeoff.
Go
To pursue a certain course
Messages that go through diplomatic channels to the ambassador.
Get
To succeed in communicating with, as by telephone
Can't get me at the office until nine.
Go
To resort to another, as for aid
Went directly to the voters of her district.
Get
To become affected with (an illness, for example) by infection or exposure; catch
Get the flu.
Got the mumps.
Go
To extend between two points or in a certain direction; run
Curtains that go from the ceiling to the floor.
Get
To be subjected to; undergo
Got a severe concussion.
Go
To give entry; lead
A stairway that goes to the basement.
Get
To receive as retribution or punishment
Got six years in prison for tax fraud.
Go
To function properly
The car won't go.
Get
To sustain a specified injury to
Got my arm broken.
Go
To have currency.
Get
To perceive or become aware of by one of the senses
Get a whiff of perfume.
Got a look at the schedule.
Go
To pass from one person to another; circulate
Wild rumors were going around the office.
Get
To gain or have understanding of
Do you get this question?.
Go
To pass as the result of a sale
The gold watch went to the highest bidder.
Get
To learn (a poem, for example) by heart; memorize.
Go
(Informal) Used as an intensifier or to indicate annoyance when joined by and to a coordinate verb
She went and complained to Personnel.
Get
To find or reach by calculating
Get a total.
Can't get the answer.
Go
Used in the progressive tense with an infinitive to indicate future intent or expectation
I am going to learn how to dance.
Get
To procreate; beget
“Is my life given me for nothing but to get children and work to bring them up?” (D.H. Lawrence).
Go
To continue to be in a certain condition or continue an activity
Go barefoot.
Get
To cause to become or be in a specified state or condition
Got the children tired and cross.
Got the shirt clean.
Go
To come to be in a certain condition
Go mad.
Hair that had gone gray.
Get
To make ready; prepare
Get lunch for the family.
Go
To continue to be in effect or operation
A lease with one year to go.
Get
To cause to come or go
Got the car through traffic.
Go
To carry out an action to a certain point or extent
Your parents went to great expense to put you through college.
Get
To cause to move or leave
Get me out of here!.
Go
To be called; be known
Our friend William often goes by Billy.
Get
To cause to undertake or perform; prevail on
Got the guide to give us the complete tour.
Go
To be customarily located; belong
The fork goes to the left of the plate. Where do the plates go?.
Get
To take, especially by force; seize
The detective got the suspect as he left the restaurant.
Go
To be capable of entering or fitting
Will the suitcase go into the trunk of your car?.
Get
(Informal) To overcome or destroy
The ice storm got the rose bushes.
Go
To pass into someone's possession
All the jewelry went to her heirs.
Get
To evoke an emotional response or reaction in
Romantic music really gets me.
Go
To be allotted
How much of your salary goes for rent?.
Get
To annoy or irritate
What got me was his utter lack of initiative.
Go
To be a contributing factor
It all goes to show us that the project can be completed on time.
Get
To present a difficult problem to; puzzle
“It's the suspect's indifference that gets me,” the detective said.
Go
To have a particular form
As the saying goes.
Get
(Informal) To hit or strike
She got him on the chin. The bullet got him in the arm.
Go
To be such, by and large
Well behaved, as big dogs go.
Get
(Baseball) To put out or strike out
Got the batter with a cut fastball.
Go
To extend in time
The story goes back to the Middle Ages.
Get
To begin or start. Used with the present participle
I have to get working on this or I'll miss my deadline.
Go
To pass by; elapse
The day went pleasantly enough until I received your call.
Get
To have current possession of. Used in the present perfect form with the meaning of the present
We've got plenty of cash.
Go
To be used up or finished
My interest in such things has gone.
Get
(Nonstandard) To have current possession of. Used in the past tense form with the meaning of the present
They got a nice house in town.
Go
To be discarded or abolished
All luxuries will have to go.
Get
To have as an obligation. Used in the present perfect form with the meaning of the present
I have got to leave early. You've got to do the dishes.
Go
To become weak; fail
His hearing has started to go.
Get
(Nonstandard) To have as an obligation. Used in the past tense with the meaning of the present
They got to clean up this mess.
Go
To give way; break up
The dam is about to go.
Get
To become or grow to be
Eventually got well.
Go
To cease living; die.
Get
To be successful in coming or going
When will we get to Dallas?.
Go
To happen or develop; fare
How are things going?.
Get
To be able or permitted
Never got to see Europe.
Finally got to work at home.
Go
To have a successful outcome
Creativity that made the advertising campaign really go.
Get
To be successful in becoming
Get free of a drug problem.
Go
To be suitable or appropriate as an accessory or accompaniment
A color that goes beautifully with your complexion.
Get
Used with the past participle of transitive verbs as a passive voice auxiliary
Got stung by a bee.
Go
To have authority
Whatever I say goes.
Get
To become drawn in, entangled, or involved
Got into debt.
Get into a hassle.
Go
To be valid, acceptable, or adequate.
Get
(Informal) To depart immediately
Yelled at the dog to get.
Go
(Informal) To urinate or defecate
I left the meeting early because I really had to go!.
Get
To work for gain or profit; make money
Do you feel as though you're exhausting yourself getting and not making enough for spending?.
Go
(Informal) To begin an act
Here goes!.
Get
Progeny; offspring
A thoroughbred's get.
Go
(Obsolete) To walk.
Get
Chiefly British Slang git2.
Go
To proceed or move according to
I was free to go my own way.
Get
(Sports) A return, as in tennis, on a shot that seems impossible to reach.
Go
To traverse
Only two of the runners went the entire distance.
Get
A document presented by a husband to his wife whereby a divorce is effected between them according to Jewish religious law.
Go
To engage in
Went skiing.
Get
A divorce effected by a get.
Go
To bet
Go $20 on the black horse.
Get
(ditransitive) To obtain; to acquire.
I'm going to get a computer tomorrow from the discount store.
Lance is going to get Mary a ring.
Go
To bid
I'll go $500 on the vase.
Get
(transitive) To receive.
I got a computer from my parents for my birthday.
You need to get permission to leave early.
He got a severe reprimand for that.
Go
To take on the responsibility or obligation for
Go bail for a client.
Get
To have. See usage notes.
I've got a concert ticket for you.
Go
To participate to (a given extent)
Will you go halves with me if we win the lottery?.
Get
(transitive) To fetch, bring, take.
Can you get my bag from the living-room, please?
I need to get this to the office.
Go
To amount to; weigh
A shark that went 400 pounds.
Get
(copulative) To become, or cause oneself to become.
I'm getting hungry; how about you?
I'm going out to get drunk.
Go
(Sports) To have as a record
Went 3 for 4 against their best pitcher.
Get
(transitive) To cause to become; to bring about.
That song gets me so depressed every time I hear it.
I'll get this finished by lunchtime.
I can't get these boots off (or on).
Go
(Informal) To enjoy
I could go a cold beer right now.
Get
(transitive) To cause to do.
Somehow she got him to agree to it.
I can't get it to work.
Go
(Informal) To say or utter. Used chiefly in verbal narration
First I go, "Thank you," then he goes, "What for?".
Get
(transitive) To cause to come or go or move.
I got him to his room.
Go
The act or an instance of going.
Get
To adopt, assume, arrive at, or progress towards (a certain position, location, state).
The actors are getting into position.
When are we going to get to London?
I'm getting into a muddle.
We got behind the wall.
Go
An attempt; an effort
Had a go at acting.
Get
(transitive) To cover (a certain distance) while travelling.
To get a mile
Go
The time or period of an activity.
Get
(intransitive) To begin (doing something or to do something).
We ought to get moving or we'll be late.
After lunch we got chatting.
I'm getting to like him better now.
Go
(Informal) Energy; vitality
Had lots of go.
Get
(transitive) To take or catch (a scheduled transportation service).
I normally get the 7:45 train.
I'll get the 9 a.m. [flight] to Boston.
Go
The go-ahead.
Get
(transitive) To respond to (a telephone call, a doorbell, etc).
Can you get that call, please? I'm busy.
Go
Often Go The starting point
"And from Go there was something deliciously illicit about the whole affair" (Erica Abeel).
Get
To be able, be permitted, or have the opportunity (to do something desirable or ironically implied to be desirable).
I'm so jealous that you got to see them perform live!
The finders get to keep 80 percent of the treasure.
Great. I get to clean the toilets today.
Go
(Informal) A situation in which planned operations can be effectuated
The space mission is a go.
Get
To be told; be the recipient of (a question, comparison, opinion, etc.).
"You look just like Helen Mirren." / "I get that a lot."
Go
A board game of Chinese origin in which two players take turns placing counters on the points formed by the intersection of 19 vertical and 19 horizontal lines.
Get
(informal) To be. Used to form the passive of verbs.
He got bitten by a dog.
Go
(Informal) Functioning correctly and ready for action
All systems are go.
Get
(transitive) To become ill with or catch (a disease).
I went on holiday and got malaria.
Go
To move:
Get
To catch out, trick successfully.
He keeps calling pretending to be my boss—it gets me every time.
Go
(intransitive) To move through space (especially to or through a place). May be used of tangible things like people or cars, or intangible things like moods or information.
Why don’t you go with us?
This train goes through Cincinnati on its way to Chicago.
Chris, where are you going?
There's no public transit where I'm going.
Wow, look at him go!
Get
To perplex, stump.
That question's really got me.
Go
(intransitive) To move or travel through time (either literally—in a fictional or hypothetical situation in which time travel is possible—or in one's mind or knowledge of the historical record). See also go back.
Yesterday was the second-wettest day on record; you have to go all the way back to 1896 to find a day when more rain fell.
Fans want to see the Twelfth Doctor go to the 51st century to visit River in the library.
Get
(transitive) To find as an answer.
What did you get for question four?
Go
(intransitive) To navigate (to a file or folder on a computer, a site on the internet, a memory, etc).
Get
To bring to reckoning; to catch (as a criminal); to effect retribution.
The cops finally got me.
I'm gonna get him for that.
Go
To move (a particular distance, or in a particular fashion).
We've only gone twenty miles today.
This car can go circles around that one.
Get
(transitive) To hear completely; catch.
Sorry, I didn't get that. Could you repeat it?
Go
(intransitive) To move or travel in order to do something, or to do something while moving.
We went swimming.
Let's go shopping.
Get
(transitive) To getter.
I put the getter into the container to get the gases.
Go
(intransitive) To leave; to move away.
Please don't go!
I really must be going.
Workmen were coming and going at all hours of the night.
Get
To beget (of a father).
Go
To walk; to travel on one's feet.
Get
(archaic) To learn; to commit to memory; to memorize; sometimes with out.
To get a lesson;
To get out one's Greek lesson
Go
To work or function (properly); to move or perform (as required).
The engine just won't go anymore.
Get
Used with a personal pronoun to indicate that someone is being pretentious or grandiose.
Get her with her new hairdo.
Go
(intransitive) To start; to begin (an action or process).
Get ready, get set, go!
On your marks, get set, go!
On your marks, set, go!
Here goes nothing.
Let's go and hunt.
Get
To go, to leave; to scram.
Go
(intransitive) To take a turn, especially in a game.
It’s your turn; go.
Get
To make acquisitions; to gain; to profit.
Go
(intransitive) To attend.
I go to school at the schoolhouse.
She went to Yale.
They only go to church on Christmas.
Get
(transitive) To measure.
Did you get her temperature?
Go
To proceed:
Get
(dated) Offspring.
Go
(intransitive) To proceed (often in a specified manner, indicating the perceived quality of an event or state).
That went well.
"How are things going?" "Not bad, thanks."
Get
Lineage.
Go
To proceed (especially to do something foolish).
Why'd you have to go and do that?
Why'd you have to go do that?
He just went and punched the guy.
Get
A difficult return or block of a shot.
Go
To follow or travel along (a path):
Get
(informal) Something gained; an acquisition.
Go
To follow or proceed according to (a course or path).
Let's go this way for a while.
She was going that way anyway, so she offered to show him where it was.
Get
A git.
Go
To travel or pass along.
Get
(Judaism) A Jewish writ of divorce.
Go
(intransitive) To extend (from one point in time or space to another).
This property goes all the way to the state line.
Get
Jet, the mineral.
Go
(intransitive) To lead (to a place); to give access to.
Does this road go to Fort Smith?
Get
Fashion; manner; custom.
Go
(copulative) To become. The adjective that follows usually describes a negative state.
You'll go blind.
The milk went bad / went sour.
I went crazy / went mad.
After failing as a criminal, he decided to go straight.
The video clip went viral.
Don't tell my Mum: she'll go ballistic.
Get
Artifice; contrivance.
Go
To assume the obligation or function of; to be, to serve as.
Get
Offspring; progeny; as, the get of a stallion.
Go
To continuously or habitually be in a state.
I don't want my children to go hungry.
We went barefoot in the summer.
Get
A divorce granted by a Rabbi in accordance with Jewish law; also, the document attesting to the divorce.
Go
(copulative) To come to (a certain condition or state).
They went into debt, she goes to sleep around 10 o'clock.
The local shop wants to go digital, and eventually go global.
Get
To procure; to obtain; to gain possession of; to acquire; to earn; to obtain as a price or reward; to come by; to win, by almost any means; as, to get favor by kindness; to get wealth by industry and economy; to get land by purchase, etc.
Go
(intransitive) To change (from one value to another) in the meaning of wend.
The traffic light went straight from green to red.
Get
Hence, with have and had, to come into or be in possession of; to have.
Thou hast got the face of man.
Go
To turn out, to result; to come to (a certain result).
How did your meeting with Smith go?
Get
To beget; to procreate; to generate.
I had rather to adopt a child than get it.
Go
(intransitive) To tend (toward a result).
Well, that goes to show you.
These experiences go to make us stronger.
Get
To obtain mental possession of; to learn; to commit to memory; to memorize; as to get a lesson; also with out; as, to get out one's Greek lesson.
It being harder with him to get one sermon by heart, than to pen twenty.
Go
To contribute to a (specified) end product or result.
Qualities that go to make a lady / lip-reader / sharpshooter
Get
To prevail on; to induce; to persuade.
Get him to say his prayers.
Go
To pass, to be used up:
Get
To procure to be, or to cause to be in any state or condition; - with a following participle.
Those things I bid you do; get them dispatched.
Go
To elapse, to pass; to slip away. Compare go by.
The time went slowly.
Get
To betake; to remove; - in a reflexive use.
Get thee out from this land.
He . . . got himself . . . to the strong town of Mega.
Go
(intransitive) To end or disappear. Compare go away.
After three days, my headache finally went.
Get
To make acquisition; to gain; to profit; to receive accessions; to be increased.
We mourn, France smiles; we lose, they daily get.
Go
(intransitive) To be spent or used up.
His money went on drink.
Get
To arrive at, or bring one's self into, a state, condition, or position; to come to be; to become; - with a following adjective or past participle belonging to the subject of the verb; as, to get sober; to get awake; to get beaten; to get elected.
To get rid of fools and scoundrels.
His chariot wheels get hot by driving fast.
Go
(intransitive) To die.
Get
Come into the possession of something concrete or abstract;
She got a lot of paintings from her uncle
They acquired a new pet
Get your results the next day
Get permission to take a few days off from work
Go
To be lost or out:
Get
Enter or assume a certain state or condition;
He became annoyed when he heard the bad news
It must be getting more serious
Her face went red with anger
She went into ecstasy
Get going!
Go
To be lost.
Get
Cause to move; cause to be in a certain position or condition;
He got his squad on the ball
This let me in for a big surprise
He got a girl into trouble
Go
To be out.
Get
Receive a specified treatment (abstract);
These aspects of civilization do not find expression or receive an interpretation
His movie received a good review
I got nothing but trouble for my good intentions
Go
To break down or apart:
Get
Reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress;
She arrived home at 7 o'clock
She didn't get to Chicago until after midnight
Go
(intransitive) To collapse or give way, to break apart.
Get
Go or come after and bring or take back;
Get me those books over there, please
Could you bring the wine?
The dog fetched the hat
Go
(intransitive) To break down or decay.
My mind is going.
She's 83; her eyesight is starting to go.
Get
Of mental or physical states or experiences;
Get an idea
Experience vertigo
Get nauseous
Undergo a strange sensation
The chemical undergoes a sudden change
The fluid undergoes shear
Receive injuries
Have a feeling
Go
(intransitive) To be sold.
The car went for five thousand dollars.
The store is closing down so everything must go.
Get
Take vengeance on or get even;
We'll get them!
That'll fix him good!
This time I got him
Go
(intransitive) To be discarded or disposed of.
This chair has got to go.
All this old rubbish can go.
Get
Achieve a point or goal;
Nicklaus had a 70
The Brazilian team got 4 goals
She made 29 points that day
Go
(intransitive) To be given, especially to be assigned or allotted.
The property shall go to my wife.
The award went to Steven Spielberg.
Get
Cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner;
The ads induced me to buy a VCR
My children finally got me to buy a computer
My wife made me buy a new sofa
Go
To survive or get by; to last or persist for a stated length of time.
How long can you go without water?
We've gone without your help for a while now.
I've gone ten days now without a cigarette.
Can you two go twenty minutes without arguing?!
Get
Succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase;
We finally got the suspect
Did you catch the thief?
Go
To have a certain record.
They've gone one for three in this series.
The team is going five in a row.
Get
Be stricken by an illness, fall victim to an illness;
He got AIDS
She came down with pneumonia
She took a chill
Go
To be authoritative, accepted, or valid:
Get
Communicate with a place or person; establish communication with, as if by telephone;
Bill called this number and he got Mary
The operator couldn't get Kobe because of the earthquake
Go
(intransitive) To have (final) authority; to be authoritative.
Whatever the boss says goes, do you understand?
Get
Give certain properties to something;
Get someone mad
She made us look silly
He made a fool of himself at the meeting
Don't make this into a big deal
This invention will make you a millionaire
Make yourself clear
Go
(intransitive) To be accepted.
Anything goes around here.
Get
Move into a desired direction of discourse;
What are you driving at?
Go
(intransitive) To be valid.
Get
Grasp with the mind or develop an undersatnding of;
Did you catch that allusion?
We caught something of his theory in the lecture
Don't catch your meaning
Did you get it?
She didn't get the joke
I just don't get him
Go
To say (something), to make a sound:
Get
Attract and fix;
His look caught her
She caught his eye
Catch the attention of the waiter
Go
To say (something, aloud or to oneself). Often used in present tense.
I go, "As if!" And she was all like, "Whatever!"
As soon as I did it, I went "that was stupid."
Get
Reach with a blow or hit in a particular spot;
The rock caught her in the back of the head
The blow got him in the back
The punch caught him in the stomach
Go
(transitive) To make the (specified) sound.
Cats go "meow". Motorcycles go "vroom".
Get
Reach by calculation;
What do you get when you add up these numbers?
Go
(intransitive) To sound; to make a noise.
I woke up just before the clock went.
Get
Acquire as a result of some effort or action;
You cannot get water out of a stone
Where did she get these news?
Go
To be expressed or composed (a certain way).
The tune goes like this.
As the story goes, he got the idea for the song while sitting in traffic.
Get
Purchase;
What did you get at the toy store?
Go
(intransitive) To resort (to).
I'll go to court if I have to.
Get
Perceive by hearing;
I didn't catch your name
She didn't get his name when they met the first time
Go
To apply or subject oneself to:
Get
Suffer from the receipt of;
She will catch hell for this behavior!
Go
To apply oneself; to undertake; to have as one's goal or intention. Compare be going to.
I'm going to join a sports team.
I wish you'd go and get a job.
He went to pick it up, but it rolled out of reach.
He's going to leave town tomorrow.
Get
Receive as a retribution or punishment;
He got 5 years in prison
Go
(intransitive) To make an effort, to subject oneself (to something).
You didn't have to go to such trouble.
I never thought he'd go so far as to call you.
She went to great expense to help them win.
Get
Leave immediately; used usually in the imperative form;
Scram!
Go
(intransitive) To work (through or over), especially mentally.
I've gone over this a hundred times.
Let's not go into that right now.
Get
Reach and board;
She got the bus just as it was leaving
Go
To fit (in a place, or together with something):
Get
Irritate;
Her childish behavior really get to me
His lying really gets me
Go
To fit.
Do you think the sofa will go through the door?
The belt just barely went around his waist.
Get
Evoke an emotional response;
Brahms's `Requiem' gets me every time
Go
(intransitive) To be compatible, especially of colors or food and drink.
This shade of red doesn't go with the drapes.
White wine goes better with fish than red wine.
Get
Apprehend and reproduce accurately;
She really caught the spirit of the place in her drawings
She got the mood just right in her photographs
Go
(intransitive) To belong (somewhere).
My shirts go on this side of the wardrobe.
This piece of the jigsaw goes on the other side.
Get
In baseball: earn or achieve a base by being walked by the pitcher;
He drew a base on balls
Go
(intransitive) To date.
How long having they been going together?
He's been going with her for two weeks.
Get
Overcome or destroy;
The ice storm got my hibiscus
The cat got the goldfish
Go
To attack:
Get
Be a mystery or bewildering to;
This beats me!
Got me--I don't know the answer!
A vexing problem
This question really stuck me
Go
(intransitive) To fight or attack.
I went at him with a knife.
Get
Take the first step or steps in carrying out an action;
We began working at dawn
Who will start?
Get working as soon as the sun rises!
The first tourists began to arrive in Cambodia
He began early in the day
Let's get down to work now
Go
To fight.
Get
Undergo (as of injuries and illnesses);
She suffered a fracture in the accident
He had an insulin shock after eating three candy bars
She got a bruise on her leg
He got his arm broken in the scuffle
Go
To attack.
Get
Make children;
Abraham begot Isaac
Men often father children but don't recognize them
Go
To be in general; to be usually.
As sentences go, this one is pretty boring.
Go
(transitive) To take (a particular part or share); to participate in to the extent of.
Let's go halves on this.
Go
(transitive) To yield or weigh.
Those babies go five tons apiece.
Go
To offer, bid or bet an amount; to pay.
That's as high as I can go.
We could go two fifty.
I'll go a ten-spot.
I'll go you a shilling.
I'll go him one better.
Go
To enjoy. Compare go for.
I could go a beer right about now.
Go
To urinate or defecate.
I really need to go.
Have you managed to go today, Mrs. Miggins?
Go
(imperative) Expressing encouragement or approval.
Go, girl! You can do it!
Go
(uncommon) The act of going.
Go
A turn at something, or in something (e.g. a game).
You’ve been on that pinball machine long enough—now let your brother have a go.
It’s your go.
Go
An attempt, a try.
I’ll give it a go.
Go
An approval or permission to do something, or that which has been approved.
We will begin as soon as the boss says it's a go.
Go
An act; the working or operation.
Go
A circumstance or occurrence; an incident, often unexpected.
Go
(dated) The fashion or mode.
Quite the go
Go
(dated) Noisy merriment.
A high go
Go
A glass of spirits; a quantity of spirits.
Go
(uncountable) Power of going or doing; energy; vitality; perseverance.
There is no go in him.
Go
(cribbage) The situation where a player cannot play a card which will not carry the aggregate count above thirty-one.
Go
A period of activity.
Ate it all in one go
Go
A dandy; a fashionable person.
Go
(board game) A strategic board game, originally from China, in which two players (black and white) attempt to control the largest area of the board with their counters.
Go
Working correctly and ready to commence operation; approved and able to be put into action.
Go
Gone.
Go
To pass from one place to another; to be in motion; to be in a state not motionless or at rest; to proceed; to advance; to make progress; - used, in various applications, of the movement of both animate and inanimate beings, by whatever means, and also of the movements of the mind; also figuratively applied.
Go
To move upon the feet, or step by step; to walk; also, to walk step by step, or leisurely.
You know that loveWill creep in service where it can not go.
Thou must run to him; for thou hast staid so long that going will scarce serve the turn.
He fell from running to going, and from going to clambering upon his hands and his knees.
Go
To be passed on fron one to another; to pass; to circulate; hence, with for, to have currency; to be taken, accepted, or regarded.
The man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.
[The money] should go according to its true value.
Go
To proceed or happen in a given manner; to fare; to move on or be carried on; to have course; to come to an issue or result; to succeed; to turn out.
How goes the night, boy ?
I think, as the world goes, he was a good sort of man enough.
Whether the cause goes for me or against me, you must pay me the reward.
Go
To proceed or tend toward a result, consequence, or product; to tend; to conduce; to be an ingredient; to avail; to apply; to contribute; - often with the infinitive; as, this goes to show.
Against right reason all your counsels go.
To master the foul flend there goeth some complement knowledge of theology.
Go
To apply one's self; to set one's self; to undertake.
Seeing himself confronted by so many, like a resolute orator, he went not to denial, but to justify his cruel falsehood.
Go
To proceed by a mental operation; to pass in mind or by an act of the memory or imagination; - generally with over or through.
By going over all these particulars, you may receive some tolerable satisfaction about this great subject.
Go
To be with young; to be pregnant; to gestate.
The fruit she goes with,I pray for heartily, that it may findGood time, and live.
Go
To move from the person speaking, or from the point whence the action is contemplated; to pass away; to leave; to depart; - in opposition to stay and come.
I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the Lord your God; . . . only ye shall not go very far away.
Go
To pass away; to depart forever; to be lost or ruined; to perish; to decline; to decease; to die.
By Saint George, he's gone!That spear wound hath our master sped.
Go
To reach; to extend; to lead; as, a line goes across the street; his land goes to the river; this road goes to New York.
His amorous expressions go no further than virtue may allow.
Go
To have recourse; to resort; as, to go to law.
They never go about . . . to hide or palliate their vices.
Then went this saying abroad among the brethren.
He . . . went aside privately into a desert place.
Nothing so ridiculous, . . . but it goes down whole with him for truth.
The law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He was as ready to go in for statistics as for anything else.
The leaders . . . will not go off until they hear you.
The wedding went off much as such affairs do.
It is not easy to make a simile go on all fours.
There are other men fitter to go out than I.
What went ye out for to see ?
Life itself goes out at thy displeasure.
I must not go over Jordan.
Let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan.
Ishmael . . . departed to go over to the Ammonites.
If we go over the laws of Christianity, we shall find that . . . they enjoin the same thing.
Go
To take, as a share in an enterprise; to undertake or become responsible for; to bear a part in.
They to go equal shares in the booty.
Go
To bet or wager; as, I'll go you a shilling.
Go
Act; working; operation.
So gracious were the goes of marriage.
Go
A circumstance or occurrence; an incident.
This is a pretty go.
Go
The fashion or mode; as, quite the go.
Go
Noisy merriment; as, a high go.
Go
A glass of spirits.
Go
Power of going or doing; energy; vitality; perseverance; push; as, there is no go in him.
Go
That condition in the course of the game when a player can not lay down a card which will not carry the aggregate count above thirty-one.
Go
Something that goes or is successful; a success; as, he made a go of it; also, an agreement.
"Well," said Fleming, "is it a go?"
Go
A time for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else);
It's my go
A spell of work
Go
Street names for methylenedioxymethamphetamine
Go
A usually brief attempt;
He took a crack at it
I gave it a whirl
Go
A board game for two players who place counters on a grid; the object is to surround and so capture the opponent's counters
Go
Change location; move, travel, or proceed;
How fast does your new car go?
We travelled from Rome to Naples by bus
The policemen went from door to door looking for the suspect
The soldiers moved towards the city in an attempt to take it before night fell
Go
Follow a procedure or take a course;
We should go farther in this matter
She went through a lot of trouble
Go about the world in a certain manner
Messages must go through diplomatic channels
Go
Move away from a place into another direction;
Go away before I start to cry
The train departs at noon
Go
Enter or assume a certain state or condition;
He became annoyed when he heard the bad news
It must be getting more serious
Her face went red with anger
She went into ecstasy
Get going!
Go
Be awarded; be allotted;
The first prize goes to Mary
Her money went on clothes
Go
Have a particular form;
The story or argument runs as follows
As the saying goes...
Go
Stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope; run or extend between two points or beyond a certain point;
Service runs all the way to Cranbury
His knowledge doesn't go very far
My memory extends back to my fourth year of life
The facts extend beyond a consideration of her personal assets
Go
Follow a certain course;
The inauguration went well
How did your interview go?
Go
Be abolished or discarded;
These ugly billboards have to go!
These luxuries all had to go under the Khmer Rouge
Go
Be or continue to be in a certain condition;
The children went hungry that day
Go
Make a certain noise or sound;
She went `Mmmmm'
The gun went `bang'
Go
Perform as expected when applied;
The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in
Does this old car still run well?
This old radio doesn't work anymore
Go
To be spent or finished;
The money had gone after a few days
Gas is running low at the gas stations in the Midwest
Go
Progress by being changed;
The speech has to go through several more drafts
Run through your presentation before the meeting
Go
Continue to live; endure or last;
We went without water and food for 3 days
These superstitions survive in the backwaters of America
The racecar driver lived through several very serious accidents
Go
Pass, fare, or elapse; of a certain state of affairs or action;
How is it going?
The day went well until I got your call
Go
Pass from physical life and lose all all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life;
She died from cancer
They children perished in the fire
The patient went peacefully
Go
Be in the right place or situation;
Where do these books belong?
Let's put health care where it belongs--under the control of the government
Where do these books go?
Go
Be ranked or compare;
This violinist is as good as Juilliard-trained violinists go
Go
Begin or set in motion;
I start at eight in the morning
Ready, set, go!
Go
Have a turn; make one's move in a game;
Can I go now?
Go
Be contained in;
How many times does 18 go into 54?
Go
Be sounded, played, or expressed;
How does this song go again?
Go
Blend or harmonize;
This flavor will blend with those in your dish
This sofa won't go with the chairs
Go
Lead, extend, or afford access;
This door goes to the basement
The road runs South
Go
Be the right size or shape; fit correctly or as desired;
This piece won't fit into the puzzle
Go
Go through in search of something; search through someone's belongings in an unauthorized way;
Who rifled through my desk drawers?
Go
Be spent;
All my money went for food and rent
Go
Give support (to) or make a choice (of) one out of a group or number;
I plumped for the losing candidates
Go
Stop operating or functioning;
The engine finally went
The car died on the road
The bus we travelled in broke down on the way to town
The coffee maker broke
The engine failed on the way to town
Her eyesight went after the accident
Go
Functioning correctly and ready for action;
All systems are go
Common Curiosities
Can "go" indicate a change of state?
No, it typically refers to movement or travel.
What are the past forms of "go"?
The past forms are "went" and "gone".
What does "get" imply in a transaction?
It implies receiving or acquiring something.
How does "get" function in a sentence requiring an object?
"Get" often needs an object to complete its meaning, like 'get a gift'.
How does "go" function without direct objects?
"Go" often works with prepositions or adverbs, like 'go up' or 'go away'.
What is a common use of "get" in casual speech?
To indicate understanding, like "I get it."
Is "get" used in progressive tenses?
Yes, as in "getting better".
Is "get" used in idiomatic expressions?
Yes, such as "get going" or "get real".
Can "get" express comprehension?
Yes, as in "get the point".
What does "go ahead" signify?
It means to proceed or continue with permission.
Does "go" have a future form?
"Go" uses auxiliary verbs for future tense, like "will go".
What does "get ready" imply?
It means to prepare oneself for an upcoming action.
Can "go" be used to describe functioning?
Yes, in contexts like "the clock doesn't go".
What does "get along" suggest?
It refers to maintaining harmonious relationships.
How is "go" used in expressions of urgency?
It's used in phrases like "go quickly" or "go now".
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Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
