go on

verb, intj — 11 senses

go on

verb

Etymology Structurally equivalent to go onward.

1

To continue in extent.

  • The meeting seemed to go on forever.
  • This road goes on for another twenty miles.
2

To continue an action.

  • I think I've said enough now; I'm not sure I should go on.
  • He went on walking even when the policeman told him to stop.
2 more examples
  • One might imagine that the directors foresaw the somewhat uninspiring appearance of the future Manchester stations, and decided to start as it was intended to go on.1957 September 23, M. D. Greville and G. O. Holt, “Railway Development in Manchester—1”, in Railway Magazine, page 615:
  • She crept up the stairs [...] On she went, across the landing, from which sprang the tall window, and up the next flight until she reached the top.1967, Barbara Sleigh, Jessamy, Sevenoaks, Kent: Bloomsbury, published 1993, →ISBN, page 84:
3

To proceed (to do something).

  • He started the competition badly but went on to win the gold medal.
  • "Do you want to hear a joke?" — "Oh, all right, go on then."
1 more example
  • The kid who starts a business selling candy out of his locker always goes on to be a major sleazeball later in life.2012, The Onion Book of Known Knowledge, page 63:
4

To talk frequently or at great length (about a subject).

  • Near-synonyms: blather, prattle, drone on, rabbit; see also Thesaurus:chatter
  • Will you stop going on about your stupid holiday?
3 more examples
  • Sam goes on and on about Pokémon.
  • Don't ask Sam about Pokémon, because he'll go on and on.
  • "I don't believe you." I shake my head. "How on earth did you remember that? I must have told you years ago."[…] "First of all, you go on about it far more than you think you do,[…]."2002, Jane Green, Bookends, trade paperback, published 2003, →ISBN, page 67:
5

To happen (occur).

Progressive aspect

  • What's going on downstairs? What's all that noise down there?
  • I really don't want to know what goes on between you and your boyfriend behind closed doors.
2 more examples
  • Mister Crowley, what went on in your head? Oh, Mister Crowley, did you talk to the dead? Your lifestyle to me seems so tragic with the thrill of it all You fooled all the people with magic Yeah, you waited on Satan's call1981, Ozzy Osbourne, “Mr. Crowley”, in Blizzard of Ozz, performed by Ozzy Osbourne:
  • At the time, with the D-Day invasion of Europe going on, their heroism was hardly noticed. Plenty of other heroes were dying elsewhere. Plenty of bigger bits of history were being made.2022 January 12, Benedict le Vay, “The heroes of Soham...”, in RAIL, number 1948, page 43:
6

To move or proceed so as to become "on" in any of various senses.

  • Bertha's about to finish her song. Who's going on next?
  • Smith went on for Jones at left back after Jones got injured.
1 more example
  • It was pitch black and then suddenly all the lights went on.
Related terms
going on, goings-on, go on then, have a thing going on, on about, on and on, to be going on with, what's going on

go on

intj

Etymology Structurally equivalent to go onward.

1

Expressing that the speaker can continue speaking without interruption from the listener.

  • Go on! You were saying about those other ones too?
2

Expressing surprise, disbelief or incredulity.

  • A: He asked Fiona to marry him. B: Go on! A: It's true, I swear.
3

Australia, New Zealand, Especially Expressing encouragement, see come on.

  • Go on! You can do it!
4

UK, Especially Yes; okay; it's a deal.

  • —So three hundred on the chair then, and can we do two-fifty on the clock? —Go on, then.

go on

verb

/ˈɡoʊˌɒn/

Etymology Structurally equivalent to go upon.

1

To use and adopt (information) in order to understand an issue, make a decision, etc.; to go by.

  • We can't go on what this map says; it's twenty years out of date.
  • I didn't make a decision because I didn't have anything to go on.

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.