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Glite Dictionary
✅ To choose 🏆 To try to get 📋 To apply to
to go for

to go for

162 3.4
To be true for someone or something
  • phrasal verb
  • /ɡoʊ fɔr/
translation icon : valer para
  • They decided that the scheme would really only go for those who meet the specific criteria.
  • the same goes for

But what goes for the spiral downwards also goes for the spiral upwards.

Examples

  • Libraries are one place where people go for health information.

    Academic text (2014)

  • VEL: How much does a house like this go for?

    Firewall (2006)

  • There are plenty of other places where people can go for one-up opportunities.

    Academic text (2014)

  • Besides, I don't think there's anywhere else you can go for the money in the time you have.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • Where can you go for a proper haircut, a hot dog, or an airtight will?

    Fiction book (2002)

  • This new product really goes for quality over quantity, which is appealing to consumers.

  • In this competition, only the most innovative ideas will go for the top prize.

Synonyms

to hold
vsto go for
840 1.4

To remain true or valid in a situation

is about being relevant to people or things rather than staying unchanged
to apply
vsto go for
832 2.0

Be relevant to a person, group, or situation

is used more generally for people or things rather than for a single situation
to pertain
vsto go for
108 4.6

To be about or connected with something

is used for people or particular situations rather than for general topical relation

Antonyms

irrelevant to
32 4.2

Not related to the subject or situation

How Applicable

to go for
162 3.4
to apply
832 2.0
to pertain
108 4.6

Surface Forms

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

Morphology

go + for

The meaning 'to choose or prefer' is partially derivable from 'go' (move/approach) plus 'for' (toward/purpose) via a motion-toward-choice metaphor, so learners can often infer the sense in context. However, the particle construction has several extended senses (attempt, favor, prefer) and the shift from physical movement to selecting is metaphorical rather than strictly compositional, so it is not fully predictable without prior exposure.

Etymology

Go for can be pictured as a rule or idea that moves toward someone and covers them, so it means 'to apply to' or 'to be true for' a person or thing.