Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to go ahead

to go ahead

∞ 2.3
Start or continue something after deciding to do it
  • phrasal verb
  • /ɡoʊ əˈhɛd/
translation icon : seguir con
  • And nothing is going to keep me from going ahead with my investigation of John Kennedy's murder.
  • go ahead and make
  • go ahead and say
  • decide to go ahead

So I'm just going to go ahead and get started.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • The university was able to go ahead with building a laboratory and using it for experiments.

    Academic text (1993)

  • So let us go ahead and set this up.

  • Or maybe we should let those people go ahead since they were here first.

  • We ought to know what we are doing before we go ahead and do it.

    Academic text (1995)

  • All right, let's go ahead and continue on.

  • In this case, the government may not wish to go ahead with the reform project.

    Academic text (2005)

  • But the people in charge decided to trust their instincts and go ahead with the product.

    Academic text (2005)

  • If after a few days no one has any objections, you can go ahead and start working on it.

    Academic text (2012)

  • Most importantly, go ahead and take action, whether within your family or combined with professional help.

    Academic text (2005)

  • So let us go ahead and set this up.

Synonyms

to go
vsto go ahead
∞ 1.0

To happen or develop in a particular way

focuses on immediate decision to continue after pause rather than general development
to go on
vsto go ahead
∞ 1.8

Continue speaking after a pause or when asked

applies to any action resuming after hesitation rather than just speech
to proceed
vsto go ahead
763 3.0

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

is used for acting after a pause or hesitation
to go forward
vsto go ahead
211 1.0

To move ahead in place, in time, or in progress

refers to continuing an action after a pause, not only physical movement
to go through with
vsto go ahead
175 3.7

To do something you promised or planned even if it feels difficult

is used to start or continue after a pause rather than to finish despite doubts
to carry on with
vsto go ahead
19 2.6

Continue doing something after a pause or interruption

is used when someone decides to continue an action after hesitation
go on then
vsto go ahead
  • UK
6 7.7

To tell someone to start or continue after they hesitate

is more about taking action yourself after a pause than giving permission
to plow ahead
vsto go ahead
  • US
3 4.7

Continue doing something even when there are problems

is more neutral, used for acting after hesitation without determined force

Antonyms

to stop
∞ 1.0

To make something end and not continue

How Willing

to forge
38 5.3
to go ahead
∞ 2.3
to hesitate
318 2.5

Surface Forms

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

Morphology

go + ahead

The meaning 'to proceed' is directly derivable from combining 'go' (move/advance) with 'ahead' (forward), so the action of moving forward maps transparently onto proceeding with something. This motion verb + directional adverb pattern is common in English and across languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Go ahead comes from the simple picture of moving forward: someone says go and points ahead to give permission to step forward or begin. So, it means 'to proceed with something'.