go by

go by (third-person singular simple present goes by, present participle going by, simple past went by, past participle gone by)

1. To pass or go past without much interaction

   I like to sit and watch the world go by.   The rest of the day went by quickly.

   Synonym: pass by

2. To be called, to use as a name.

   His full name is Ernest Tinkleton, but he goes by Ernie.

3. To follow; to assume as true for the purposes of making a decision, taking an action, etc.

   I'm only going by what my teacher said.

   a good rule to go by

• pass by

• bogy, boyg