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Glite Dictionary
go on then

go on then

6 7.7
To tell someone to start or continue after they hesitate
  • idiom
  • UK
translation icon : adelante
  • I hesitated for a moment, but my friend said, "Go on then, just ask him!"
  • Well, go on then

So we said, everybody said, yeah, go on then we'll stay.

Examples

  • "Go on, then," says Duncan.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • Fancy an ice cream? - Yeah, go on then, mate.

    The Hooligan Factory (2014)

  • "Well, go on, then, and Short Stuff and I will follow you.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • If you are well enough, we'll go on then.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • "Go on then, what do you do with it?"

    Fiction book (2000)

  • Well, go on, then, Bobby.

    The Rise of the Krays (2015)

  • Go on, then, finish it.

    An Ordinary Man (2017)

  • "Well, go on then," Roger said.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Go on then, come on, let's go.

    The Last White Man (2020)

  • Their conversations are not known for making much sense to the rest of the world, so when he turned to me and asked, "L says do we want a kitten?" it is perhaps not entirely surprising that I assumed he was joking and said, "Oh go on then, why not!"

    Blog text (27)

Synonyms

come on
vsgo on then
  • Informal
∞ 5.4

Say it to show disbelief, irritation, or to urge someone

focuses on gentle permission or encouragement rather than irritation or disbelief
to go ahead
vsgo on then
∞ 2.3

Start or continue something after deciding to do it

is more about urging someone to move forward after a challenge
to go on
vsgo on then
∞ 1.8

Continue speaking after a pause or when asked

is broader, used to encourage or permit many actions beyond speech
to proceed
vsgo on then
763 3.0

Begin or continue an action after a pause, often as planned

is more casual encouragement often given after hesitation or challenge
to get on with
vsgo on then
168 2.3

Continue doing something, especially after an interruption

is more about giving permission or urging rather than steady task progress
to carry on with
vsgo on then
19 2.6

Continue doing something after a pause or interruption

is about urging or allowing someone to begin or continue not just activity
the word is go
vsgo on then
7.8

A signal to start an action or project

is more informal encouragement often used after hesitation or challenge

Antonyms

to hesitate
318 2.5

To pause before saying or doing something because you feel unsure

Surface Forms

go on then main

Morphology

go + on + then

The meaning is directly built from 'go on' (continue; proceed) with the discourse particle 'then' adding immediacy or permissive force, so together they convey 'you may proceed' or 'do it now'. This is a straightforward compositional discourse pattern found across languages and in everyday English, so a B1 learner who knows the parts and sees the context will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Go on then is a short, friendly push made of go on plus then; imagine someone hesitating and a friend saying 'go ahead' to encourage them. That's why it means 'to give permission' or 'to tell someone to start after a pause or a dare'.