Phrase guide

go for the gold

verb · 1 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

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˌɡəʊ fə‿ðə ˈɡəʊld/
  • General-American: /ˌɡoʊ fəɹ‿ðə ˈɡoʊld/
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -əʊld

1

verb

Meaning 1

To attempt to achieve the maximum result or reward in an endeavour.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: go for the gold ring

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

An allusion to the gold medal, the highest prize in many major competitive events, especially in the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: hakea kultamitalia — to attempt to achieve the maximum result or reward in an endeavour
  • Finnish: tavoitella parasta lopputulosta — to attempt to achieve the maximum result or reward in an endeavour