go-by

[ goh-bahy ]
/ ˈgoʊˌbaɪ /

noun Informal.

a going by without notice; an intentional passing by; snub: to give one the go-by.

Origin of go-by

First recorded in 1605–15; noun use of verb phrase go by

Definition for go by (2 of 2)

Origin of go

1
before 900; Middle English gon, Old English gān; cognate with Old High German gēn, German gehen

British Dictionary definitions for go by (1 of 5)

go by

verb (intr)

to pass the cars went by; as the years go by we all get older; don't let those opportunities go by!
(preposition) to be guided by in the darkness we could only go by the stars
(preposition) to use as a basis for forming an opinion or judgment it's wise not to go only by appearances

British Dictionary definitions for go by (2 of 5)

GO
/ military /

abbreviation for

general order

British Dictionary definitions for go by (3 of 5)

go-by

noun

slang a deliberate snub or slight (esp in the phrase give (a person) the go-by)

British Dictionary definitions for go by (4 of 5)

go 1
/ (ɡəʊ) /

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

noun plural goes

adjective

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

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 by (5 of 5)

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 by

go by

1

Elapse, pass, as in the popular song, “As Time Goes By” (by Herman Hupfeld, 1931), or He just went by our house. [c. 1600]

2

Ignore, fail to notice or take advantage of, as in You shouldn't let this opportunity go by. [Early 1500s] For the related go by the board, see by the board.

3

Rely on, believe, as in I'm going by the numbers on this list, or We'll have to go by what she tells us.

4

go by the name of. Be known by or use a specific name. For example, She continued to go by her maiden name, Mary Smith. [Late 1500s]