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

to go for

272 2.5
To try to get something you want by making an effort
  • phrasal verb
  • /ɡoʊ fɔr/
translation icon : luchar por
  • I decided to go for the promotion at work to further my career.

The significance of saying let's go for it and how that plays out.

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Examples

Synonyms

to try
vsto go for
∞ 1.0

To make an effort to do something difficult

is used for efforts specifically aimed at obtaining something
to attempt
vsto go for
∞ 1.3

To try to do something that is difficult or new

is used for general efforts without focusing on difficulty
to seek
vsto go for
∞ 1.0

Try to find or get something you want

is used for making an effort to obtain rather than to search
to pursue
vsto go for
∞ 3.5

To try to get something you want, like a job or a goal

is used for effort without necessarily implying physical following
to go after
vsto go for
839 2.1

Try to get something you want or follow someone to catch them

is focused on active pursuit or following rather than only general effort
to push
vsto go for
731 1.5

To try hard to achieve something, especially against difficulty

is used for ordinary efforts rather than strong forceful effort
to aim at
vsto go for
239 2.3

Try to reach a goal

is general effort to obtain something rather than primarily expressing intention
to strive
vsto go for
156 3.7

To work very hard to reach a goal

is used for regular effort rather than very great intense effort
to aim for
vsto go for
79 2.8

To try to reach a goal

is more about making an effort to obtain rather than focused intention
to try for
vsto go for
76 3.1

Make a strong effort to get something you want

is similar but often without the extra stress on determination
to take a shot at
vsto go for
  • Informal
45 3.7

To try to do something even when success is uncertain

is used for determined efforts to obtain things rather than casual attempts
to shoot for
vsto go for
  • Informal
30 3.9

To try to reach a big, difficult goal

is used for efforts in general rather than aiming at especially ambitious goals
to take a stab at
vsto go for
  • Informal
10 5.3

To try to do something when you are not sure you will succeed

is applied to trying to obtain something rather than tentative first efforts
to have a stab at
vsto go for
  • UK
1 5.3

To try to do something when you are not sure you will succeed

is used for efforts to obtain rather than casual uncertain attempts

Antonyms

to give up
∞ 1.2

To stop trying to do something or accept defeat

to abandon
401 3.8

Stop supporting an idea or plan

How Hard

to go all out
39 4.1
to strive
156 3.7
to go for
272 2.5
to try
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

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

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 creates the simple image of moving toward a prize and reaching out to grab it, so it means 'to try to get' or 'to try to achieve' something.