go-ahead

[ goh-uh-hed ]

/ ˈgoʊ əˌhɛd /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR go-ahead ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

permission or a signal to proceed: They got the go-ahead on the construction work.

Chiefly Hawaii and California. a sandal held on the foot by a strap between the big toe and the next toe.

adjective

moving forward; advancing.

enterprising: a go-ahead Yankee peddler.

Origin of go-ahead

1830–40, Americanism; noun, adj. use of verb phrase go ahead

Words nearby go-ahead

go with the flow, go without, go without saying, go wrong, go, goes, going, go-ahead, go-around, go-away bird, go-between, go-by, go-cart

Definition for go ahead (2 of 2)

go ¹

[ goh ]

/ goʊ /

verb (used without object), went, gone, go·ing.

to move or proceed, especially to or from something: They're going by bus.

to leave a place; depart: People were coming and going all the time.

to keep or be in motion; function or perform as required: Can't you go any faster in your work?

to become as specified: to go mad.

to continue in a certain state or condition; be habitually: to go barefoot.

to act as specified: Go warily if he wants to discuss terms.

to act so as to come into a certain state or condition: to go into debt; to go to sleep.

to be known: to go by a false name.

to reach, extend, or give access to: Where does this door go?

to pass or elapse: The time went fast.

to be applied, allotted, awarded, transferred, etc., to a particular recipient or purpose: My money goes for food and rent.

to be sold: I have a bid of two dollars. Going! Going! Gone!

to be considered generally or usually: He's short, as basketball players go.

to conduce or tend: This only goes to prove the point.

to result or end; turn out: How did the game go?

to belong; have a place: This book goes on the top shelf.

(of colors, styles, etc.) to harmonize; be compatible; be suited: Your tweed jacket would go well with these pants.

to fit around or into; be able to be extended, contained, inserted, etc.: This belt won't go around my waist.

to be or become consumed, spent, finished, etc.: The cake went fast.

to be or become discarded, dismissed, put aside, forgotten, etc.: Those practical jokes of yours have got to go!

to develop, progress, or proceed, especially with reference to success or satisfaction: How is your new job going?

to move or proceed with remarkable speed or energy: Look at that airplane go!

to make a certain sound: The gun goes bang.

to be phrased, written, or composed: How does that song go?

to seek or have recourse for a decision, verdict, corroboration, defense, etc.; resort: to go to court.

to become worn-out, weakened, ineffective, etc.: His eyesight is beginning to go.

to die: The old man went peacefully at 3 a.m.

to fail, break, or give way: The dike might go any minute.

to come into action; begin: Go when you hear the bell.

to make up a quantity or content; be requisite: Sixteen ounces go to the pound.

to be able to be divided; be contained as a mathematical element: Three goes into fifteen five times.

to contribute to an end result: the items that go to make up the total.

to have as one's goal; intend (usually used in the present tense, followed by an infinitive): Their daughter is going to be a doctor.

to be permitted, approved, or the like: Around here, anything goes.

to be authoritative; be the final word: This is my house, and what I say goes!

to subject oneself: Don't go to any trouble.

(used in the infinitive as an intensifier to indicate the idea of proceeding, especially with the expectation of serious consequences): He finally had to go ask for a loan.

Informal. to urinate or defecate.

verb (used with object), went, gone, go·ing.

Informal. to endure or tolerate: I can't go his preaching.

Informal. to risk, pay, afford, bet, or bid: I'll go fifty dollars for a ticket, but no more.

to move or proceed with or according to; follow: Going my way?

to share or participate in to the extent of (often followed by a complementary substantive): to go halves.

to yield, produce, weigh as a usable amount, or grow to: This field will go two bales of cotton.

to assume the obligation, responsibility, or function of: His father went bail for him.

Informal. to enjoy, appreciate, desire, or want: I could go a big steak dinner right now.

Informal. to say; declare (usually used in speech): I asked the clerk for my receipt, and he goes, “You don't need it.”

noun, plural goes.

the act of going: the come and go of the seasons.

energy, spirit, or animation: a man with a lot of go.

a try at something; attempt: to have a go at winning the prize.

a successful accomplishment; success: to make a go of a new business.

Informal. a business agreement; deal; bargain: Thirty dollars? It's a go.

Informal. approval or permission, as to undertake or begin something: The boss gave us the go on the new project.

Boxing. a bout: the main go.

interjection

(in calling the start of a race) start the race; leave the starting line: On your mark! Get set! Go!

adjective

functioning properly and ready: two minutes before the satellite is to be launched and all systems are go.

Verb Phrases

go about,

to occupy oneself with; perform: The shoemaker goes about his work with a smile.
Nautical. to change course by tacking or wearing.

go after, to attempt to obtain; strive for: You'll never get what you want if you don't go after it energetically.

go against, to be in conflict with or opposed to: It goes against the company's policy.

go ahead, to proceed without hesitation or delay: If you want to use my car, go ahead.

go along,

to move or proceed.
to accompany in travel.
to agree; concur: I can't go along with you on that idea.

go around,

to be often in company (often followed by with): to go around with a bad crowd.
to be sufficient for all: Is there enough food to go around?
to pass or circulate, as in transmission or communication: The rumor is going around that he was forced to resign.

go at,

to assault; attack.
to begin or proceed vigorously: to go at one's work with a will.

go back on. back²(def 7).

go by,

to be disregarded or not taken advantage of: Don't let this chance go by.
to be guided by or to rely upon: Don't go by what she says.

go down,

to decrease or subside, as in amount or size: Prices went down. The swelling is going down.
to descend or sink: When does the sun go down?
to suffer defeat: to go down fighting.
to be accepted or believed: This nonsense goes down as truth with many persons.
to admit of being consumed: This food goes down easily.
to be remembered in history or by posterity.
Slang. to happen; occur: What's been going down since I've been away?
British. to leave a university, permanently or at the end of a term.
Bridge. to fall short of making one's contract.
Slang: Vulgar. to perform fellatio or cunnilingus.

go for,

to make an attempt at; try for: He is going for the championship.
to assault.
to favor; like: It simply isn't the kind of life you would go for.
to be used for the purpose of or be a substitute for: material that goes for silk.

go in for,

to adopt as one's particular interest; approve of; like.
to occupy oneself with; engage in: Europeans in increasing numbers are going in for camping.

go into,

to discuss or investigate: Let's not go into the question of whose fault it was.
to undertake as one's study or work: to go into medicine.

go in with, to join in a partnership or union; combine with: He asked me to go in with him on the purchase of a boat.

go off,

to explode, fire, or perform or begin to function abruptly: A gun went off in the distance.
(of what has been expected or planned) to happen: The interview went off very badly.
to leave, especially suddenly: She went off without saying goodbye.
to die.
to deteriorate.
Slang. to experience orgasm.

go on,

to happen or take place: What's going on here?
to continue: Go on working.
to behave; act: Don't go on like that!
to talk effusively; chatter.
(used to express disbelief): Go on, you're kidding me.
to appear onstage in a theatrical performance: I go on in the middle of the second act.

go out,

to come to an end, especially to fade in popularity: Silent movies went out as soon as the talkies were perfected.
to cease or fail to function: The lights went out.
to participate in a social activity: We usually go out drinking on Friday nights.
Informal. to have a continuing romantic relationship: They went out for about a year before getting married.
to take part in a strike: The printers went out yesterday in a contract dispute.
Rummy. to dispose of the last card in one's hand by melding it on the table.
Cards. to achieve a point score equal to or above the score necessary to win the game.

go over,

to repeat; review.
to be effective or successful: The proposal went over very well with the trustees.
to examine: The mechanic went over the car but found nothing wrong.
to read; scan.

go through,

to bear; experience.
to examine or search carefully: He went through all of his things but couldn't find the letter.
to be successful; be accepted or approved: The proposed appropriation will never go through.
to use up; spend completely: He went through his allowance in one day.

go through with, to persevere with to the end; bring to completion: It was perhaps the biggest challenge of her life, and she resolved to go through with it.

go under,

to be overwhelmed or ruined; fail.
(of a ship) to founder.

go up,

to be in the process of construction, as a building.
to increase in cost, value, etc.
to forget one's lines during a theatrical performance.
British. to go to a university at the beginning of a term.

go with, Informal. to have a continuing romantic relationship with; date: He went with her for two years.

Origin of go

before 900; Middle English gon, Old English gān; cognate with Old High German gēn, German gehen

SYNONYMS FOR go

1 walk, run, travel, advance.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR go ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR go

1 stay.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR go ON THESAURUS.COM

British Dictionary definitions for go ahead (1 of 4)

go ahead

verb

(intr, adverb) to start or continue, often after obtaining permission

noun go-ahead

the go-ahead informal permission to proceed

adjective go-ahead

enterprising or ambitious

British Dictionary definitions for go ahead (2 of 4)

/ military /

abbreviation for

general order

British Dictionary definitions for go ahead (3 of 4)

go ¹

/ (ɡəʊ) /

verb goes, going, went or gone (mainly intr)

to move or proceed, esp to or from a point or in a certain direction to go to London; to go home

(tr; takes an infinitive, often with to omitted or replaced by and) to proceed towards a particular person or place with some specified intention or purpose I must go and get that book

to depart we'll have to go at eleven

to start, as in a race: often used in commands

to make regular journeys this train service goes to the east coast

to operate or function effectively the radio won't go

(copula) to become his face went red with embarrassment

to make a noise as specified the gun went bang

to enter into a specified state or condition to go into hysterics; to go into action

to be or continue to be in a specified state or condition to go in rags; to go in poverty

to lead, extend, or afford access this route goes to the north

to proceed towards an activity to go to supper; to go to sleep

(tr; takes an infinitive) to serve or contribute this letter goes to prove my point

to follow a course as specified; fare the lecture went badly

to be applied or allotted to a particular purpose or recipient her wealth went to her son; his money went on drink

to be sold or otherwise transferred to a recipient the necklace went for three thousand pounds

to be ranked; compare this meal is good as my meals go

to blend or harmonize these chairs won't go with the rest of your furniture

(foll by by or under) to be known (by a name or disguise)

to fit or extend that skirt won't go round your waist

to have a usual or proper place those books go on this shelf

(of music, poetry, etc) to be sounded; expressed, etc how does that song go?

to fail or give way my eyesight is going

to break down or collapse abruptly the ladder went at the critical moment

to die the old man went at 2 am

(often foll by by)

(of time) to elapsethe hours go by so slowly at the office
to travel pastthe train goes by her house at four
to be guided (by)

to occur happiness does not always go with riches

to be eliminated, abolished, or given up this entry must go to save space

to be spent or finished all his money has gone

to circulate or be transmitted the infection went around the whole community

to attend go to school; go to church

to join a stated profession go to the bar; go on the stage

(foll by to) to have recourse (to); turn to go to arbitration

(foll by to) to subject or put oneself (to) she goes to great pains to please him

to proceed, esp up to or beyond certain limits you will go too far one day and then you will be punished

to be acceptable or tolerated anything goes in this place

to carry the weight of final authority what the boss says goes

(foll by into) to be contained in four goes into twelve three times

(often foll by for) to endure or last out we can't go for much longer without water in this heat

(tr) cards to bet or bid I go two hearts

(tr) informal, mainly US to have as one's weight I went 112 pounds a year ago

US and Canadian (usually used in commands takes an infinitive without to)

to start to act so as togo shut the door
to leave so as togo blow your brains out

informal to perform well; be successful that group can really go

(tr) not standard to say: widely used, esp in the historic present, in reporting dialogue Then she goes, ``Give it to me!'' and she just snatched it

go and informal to be so foolish or unlucky as to then she had to go and lose her hat

be going to intend or be about to start (to do or be doing something): often used as an alternative future construction what's going to happen to us?

go ape slang to become crazy, enraged, or out of control

go ape over slang to become crazy or extremely enthusiastic about

go astray to be mislaid; go missing

go bail to act as surety

go bush See bush 1 (def. 14)

go halves See half (def. 15)

go hard (often foll by with) to cause trouble or unhappiness (to)

go it slang to do something or move energetically

go it alone informal to act or proceed without allies or help

go much on informal to approve of or be in agreement with (something): usually used in the negative I don't go much on the idea

go one better informal to surpass or outdo (someone)

go the whole hog informal See hog (def. 9)

let go

to relax one's hold (on); release
euphemistic to dismiss (from employment)
to discuss or consider no further

let oneself go

to act in an uninhibited manner
to lose interest in one's appearance, manners, etc

to go

remaining
US and Canadian informal (of food served by a restaurant) for taking away

noun plural goes

the act of going

informal

an attempt or tryhe had a go at the stamp business
an attempt at stopping a person suspected of a crimethe police are not always in favour of the public having a go
an attack, esp verbalshe had a real go at them

a turn it's my go next

informal the quality of being active and energetic she has much more go than I

informal hard or energetic work it's all go

informal a successful venture or achievement he made a go of it

informal a bout or attack (of an illness) he had a bad go of flu last winter

informal an unforeseen, usually embarrassing or awkward, turn of events here's a rum go

informal a bargain or agreement

all the go informal very popular; in fashion

from the word go informal from the very beginning

See get-up-and-go

no go informal impossible; abortive or futile it's no go, I'm afraid

on the go informal active and energetic

adjective

(postpositive) informal functioning properly and ready for action: esp used in astronautics all systems are go

See also go about, go against, go ahead, go along, go around, go at, go away, go back, go by, go down, go for, go forth, go in, going, go into, gone, go off, go on, go out, go over, go through, go to, go together, go under, go up, go with, go without

Word Origin for go

Old English gān; related to Old High German gēn, Greek kikhanein to reach, Sanskrit jahāti he forsakes

British Dictionary definitions for go ahead (4 of 4)

go ²

I-go

/ (ɡəʊ) /

noun

a game for two players in which stones are placed on a board marked with a grid, the object being to capture territory on the board

Word Origin for go

from Japanese

Idioms and Phrases with go ahead

go ahead

Move forward rapidly or act without restraint; also, continue something. For example, If you want to borrow the tractor, go ahead. This expression is often put as go ahead with, as in Are you going ahead with the house party? The term dates from the mid-1600s and gave rise to give the go-ahead, meaning “give permission to move or act in some way.”

go ahead of. Make one's way to the front of, as in They went ahead of me to see the purser. [Mid-1700s]

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

go-ahead

noun

adjective

Origin of go-ahead

Words nearby go-ahead

Definition for go ahead (2 of 2)

verb (used without object), went, gone, go·ing.

verb (used with object), went, gone, go·ing.

noun, plural goes.

interjection

adjective

Verb Phrases

Origin of go

SYNONYMS FOR go

ANTONYMS FOR go

British Dictionary definitions for go ahead (1 of 4)

verb

noun go-ahead

adjective go-ahead

British Dictionary definitions for go ahead (2 of 4)

abbreviation for

British Dictionary definitions for go ahead (3 of 4)

verb goes, going, went or gone (mainly intr)

noun plural goes

adjective

Word Origin for go

British Dictionary definitions for go ahead (4 of 4)

I-go

noun

Word Origin for go

Idioms and Phrases with go ahead

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

go-ahead

noun

adjective

Origin of go-ahead

Words nearby go-ahead

Definition for go ahead (2 of 2)

verb (used without object), went, gone, go·ing.

verb (used with object), went, gone, go·ing.

noun, plural goes.

interjection

adjective

Verb Phrases

Origin of go

SYNONYMS FOR go

ANTONYMS FOR go

Words related to go ahead

British Dictionary definitions for go ahead (1 of 4)

verb

noun go-ahead

adjective go-ahead

British Dictionary definitions for go ahead (2 of 4)

abbreviation for

British Dictionary definitions for go ahead (3 of 4)

verb goes, going, went or gone (mainly intr)

noun plural goes

adjective

Word Origin for go

British Dictionary definitions for go ahead (4 of 4)

I-go

noun

Word Origin for go

Idioms and Phrases with go ahead