Phrase guide

go for

verb · 16 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see go, for.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • I'll go for some milk.
  • If John goes for three days without sleep, he will be very tired.
  • I need to go for a checkup at the clinic.
  • Tickets are going for upwards of $100.
  • I've gotta go for a job interview next Mon.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To try for, to attempt to reach.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • I'll go for the world record.
  • Go for it!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To undertake (an action); to choose an option.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • His phone was off and I couldn't ask his permission, so I decided to just go for it.
  • I'll go for a swim if it's warm enough.
  • I went for the pay-as-you-go plan.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To attack.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • Careful, he'll go for your throat!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To develop a strong interest in, especially in a sudden manner; to be infatuated with.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • Clyde took one look at Bonnie and really went for her.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

To favor, accept; to have a preference for.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • Management won't go for such a risky project now.
  • Do you want to climb the mountain with me? Yeah, I could go for that.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

verb

Meaning 7

To fall for (a trick)

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

verb

Meaning 8

To apply equally to.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • Stop taking my food from the fridge! That goes for you too, Nick!
  • What I'm about to say goes for all of you.
  • My wife hates football, and that goes for me as well.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

9

verb

Meaning 9

To suffice to be used for; to serve as.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • It's a desk that goes for a dresser too.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

10

verb

Meaning 10

To be accepted as.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

11

verb

Meaning 11

To cost.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • Here in Texas, gas can go for as little as two dollars a gallon.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

12

verb

Meaning 12

intend with some possibility of fulfilment

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • I hope to have finished this work by tomorrow evening

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: hope

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: plan, be after

13

verb

Meaning 13

give an affirmative reply to; respond favorably to

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • I cannot accept your invitation
  • I go for this resolution

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: accept, consent

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: react, respond

Narrower terms: give, agree, settle, contract in, permit, allow, let, countenance, yield, give in, succumb, knuckle under, buckle under, undertake, take in charge

14

verb

Meaning 14

make an attempt at achieving something

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • She tried for the Olympics

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: try for

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: compete, vie, contend

15

verb

Meaning 15

have a fancy or particular liking or desire for

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • She fancied a necklace that she had seen in the jeweler's window

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: fancy, take to

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: desire, want

16

verb

Meaning 16

be pertinent or relevant or applicable

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The same laws apply to you!
  • This theory holds for all irrational numbers
  • The same rules go for everyone

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: apply, hold

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: refer, pertain, relate, concern, come to, bear on, touch, touch on, have-to doe with

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

39 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: hakea — to go somewhere in order to get something
  • Finnish: käydä hakemassa — to go somewhere in order to get something
  • Finnish: noutaa — to go somewhere in order to get something
  • Polish: iść po — to go somewhere in order to get something
  • Polish: pójść po — to go somewhere in order to get something
  • Swedish: gå efter — to go somewhere in order to get something
  • Finnish: yrittää — to try for something
  • Finnish: tavoitella — to try for something
  • Italian: tentare — to try for something
  • Italian: provare — to try for something
  • Norwegian: gå for — to try for something
  • Polish: próbować — to try for something
  • Polish: spróbować — to try for something
  • Portuguese: tentar — to try for something
  • Finnish: tehdä — to undertake (an action)
  • Polish: podejmować się — to undertake (an action)
  • Polish: podjąć się — to undertake (an action)
  • Polish: przedsiębrać — to undertake (an action)
  • Polish: przedsięwziąć — to undertake (an action)
  • Chinese Mandarin: 攻击 (gōngjī) — to attack something
  • Finnish: yrittää iskeä — to attack something
  • Finnish: hyökätä — to attack something
  • Polish: atakować — to attack something
  • Polish: zaatakować — to attack something
  • Portuguese: atacar — to attack something
  • Finnish: innostua — to develop a strong interest in
  • Finnish: ihastua — to develop a strong interest in
  • Polish: lubić — to develop a strong interest in
  • Polish: interesować się — to develop a strong interest in
  • Finnish: lähteä mukaan — to favor, accept
  • Polish: preferować — to favor, accept
  • Polish: decydować się na — to favor, accept
  • Polish: zdecydować się na — to favor, accept
  • Polish: wybierać — to favor, accept
  • Polish: wybrać — to favor, accept
  • Finnish: koskea — to apply equally to
  • Finnish: päteä — to apply equally to
  • Polish: dotyczyć — to apply equally to
  • Polish: tyczyć się — to apply equally to