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Glite Dictionary
to go Hollywood

to go Hollywood

8 8.3
To try to become famous and rich by living like movie stars
  • phrasal verb
  • /ɡoʊ ˈhɑːlɪwʊd/
  • Informal
: buscar la fama
  • We're going to Hollywood.

Now back to Matthew McConaughey goes to Hollywood.

Examples

  • We decided to quit radio because we'll go to Hollywood and become stars.

  • "Did I tell you," Sophie loftily announces, "I had the idea of going to Hollywood to help Valentino with his tax and drinking problems."

    Fiction book (2001)

  • I guess I'm going Hollywood.

    Blonde Heaven (1995)

  • I guess everyone's gone Hollywood.

    Analyze That (2002)

  • They're going to Hollywood.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • After years of hard work, she decided to go Hollywood and pursue her dream of becoming a movie star.

  • He always dreamed of leaving his small town to go Hollywood and chase fame in the film industry.

  • With the new production company in town, many actors are eager to go Hollywood and find their big break.

Synonyms

to go places
vsto go Hollywood
  • Informal
19 3.7

Become successful or important in life

aim to gain fame and fortune by adopting an entertainment lifestyle

Antonyms

to keep a low profile
41 3.9

Act quietly so people do not notice you

Surface Forms

go Hollywood infinitive
went Hollywood past
gone Hollywood past participle
going Hollywood present participle
goes Hollywood third person singular

Morphology

go + Hollywood

The verb 'go' can mean 'become' and 'Hollywood' clearly evokes the U.S. film industry, so a learner who knows both words can infer a connection to the movie world. However, the specific sense — pursuing fame or adopting a Hollywood lifestyle rather than literally traveling there — is a metaphorical/cultural extension that may not be fully predictable without exposure, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Go Hollywood comes from people who would go to Hollywood, the place where many movie stars live and work. That's why to go Hollywood now means 'to try to get fame and money and act more like a celebrity'.