go on

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

1. To continue in extent.

   The meeting seemed to go on forever.

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.

3. To proceed.

   He went on to win a gold medal.

   • 1960, P. G. Wodehouse, Jeeves in the Offing, chapter III:

     […] while not a super-goof like some of the female goofs I'd met, she was quite goofy enough to be going on with.

4. To talk about a subject frequently or at great length.

   Will you stop going on about your stupid holiday.

   Sam goes on and on about Pokémon.

   • 2002, Jane Green, Bookends, 2003 trade paperback edition, →ISBN, page 67:

     "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, […] ."

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

   We can't go on what this map says; it's twenty years out of date.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.

6. To happen (occur).

   What's going on?!

   I really don't want to know what goes on between you and your boyfriend behind closed doors.

• (continue in extent): endure; See also Thesaurus:persist
• (continue an action): advance, carry on, forthgo, proceed, resume
• (proceed): carry on, continue, proceed; See also Thesaurus:proceed
• (talk at great length): blather, prattle, rabbit; See also Thesaurus:chatter
• (make a decision based on):
• (happen): come to pass, take place; See also Thesaurus:happen

• going on
• goings-on
• go on then
• what's going on?

go on

1. Expresses surprise, disbelief or incredulity.

   A: He asked Fiona to marry him.

   B: Go on!

   A: It's true, I swear.

2. (Australia, New Zealand) Expressing encouragement, see come on.

   Go on! You can do it!

• (expresses disbelief): fiddlesticks, horsefeathers, pull the other one; see also Thesaurus:bullshit
• (expresses encouragement): attaboy, you go, girl; see also Thesaurus:come on

• gono-, no go, no-go, nogo