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to go to work on

to go to work on

39 3.2
To start doing a task or project seriously
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : ponerse a trabajar en
  • She plans to go to work on improving her skills through online courses.
  • go to work on a project
  • go to work on things
  • go to work on it tonight

And that's what really drove me to going to work on my PhD.

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Examples

  • I took a sip and then went to work on the pie.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Are we ever going to work on this project?

  • Then you two gentlemen are going to work on this until you solve it.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • I'm going to work on a Paris news agency.

  • A number of Google employees took leave from Google and went to work on the ACA.

  • And that's what really drove me to going to work on my PhD.

  • Aren't you going to work on your notebook today?

  • After the meeting, I will go to work on the project proposal immediately.

  • He decided to go to work on the application early to meet the deadline.

Synonyms

to work
vsto go to work on
1.0

To move forward slowly while making steady progress

is about beginning serious effort rather than slow gradual progress
to work on
vsto go to work on
2.6

Spend time and effort improving or finishing something

is about beginning serious effort rather than ongoing gradual improvement
to work at
vsto go to work on
489 2.3

To try hard to get better at or finish something over time

focuses on beginning serious effort rather than long sustained effort
to concentrate on
vsto go to work on
279 3.1

Give your full attention to one activity or subject

involves starting with focused effort rather than only giving full attention
to get to work
vsto go to work on
  • Informal
231 2.0

To start doing your job, often after a delay

starts with serious effort rather than just beginning after delay
to work through
vsto go to work on
152 3.4

To deal with a problem, task, or feeling step by step until it is done

applies to starting with serious intent rather than slow step by step process
to embark on
vsto go to work on
95 4.2

To start a new project, activity or journey that is often big and difficult

starts with serious effort rather than just beginning a big project
to set to work
vsto go to work on
7 3.2

To begin working right away with energy

begins with serious intent but not necessarily immediate energetic start

Antonyms

401 3.8

Stop supporting an idea or plan

To delay doing something you should do because you avoid it

How Committed

to go to work on
39 3.2
to dive in
  • Informal
23 3.7
to have a go at
  • UK
11 3.4

Surface Forms

go to work on infinitive
gone to work on past participle
going to work on present participle
goes to work on third person singular

Morphology

go + to + work + on

The literal parts ('go' = move, 'work' = task/job, 'on' = about/target) provide clear clues, but the meaning requires a metaphorical shift from physical movement to 'beginning to work on' a task. This pattern is partly predictable and common cross-linguistically, yet the specific use of 'go to work on X' to mean 'start working on X' is not fully compositional for learners without prior exposure.

Etymology

Go to work on gives the picture of someone walking to their workbench or desk and starting to work on one job. That's why it means 'to begin working seriously on a task or project'.