go on
The phrase 'go on' is versatile and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to indicate continuation, occurrence, or encouragement.
Definition
B1General
(common)To continue doing something or speaking.
Example
- Please go on with your story.
- We can't go on living like this.
B1General
(common)To happen or take place.
Example
- What's going on here?
- A lot has gone on since you left.
B1Conversation
(informal)To encourage someone to continue speaking.
Example
- Go on, tell me more!
- Go on, what happened next?
B2Theater
(technical)To start a performance or act.
Example
- She doesn't go on until Act 2.
B2Informal British English
(informal, british)To criticize someone repeatedly.
Example
- I wish you'd stop going on at me about my haircut.
B2General
(common)To advance or progress to the next stage.
Example
- He went on to become a famous scientist.
B1Encouragement
(informal)To encourage someone to do something.
Example
- Go on, have another drink.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "go on":
going ongo on thencarry onkeep ongo aheadget ongo atkeep goingplay onmove oncrack onget on withcome onto gogo toon togo alonggo itmarch onget goingget on togo forgo aboutgame onget it onhop ongo on one's merry waystay ongo withgo forthjog ongo at itbe ongrow onroll ongo instart onhang onmove aheadgo upgo pastgo in ongo back onfollow ongo one's waygo outgo bygo for itlive onmove alongpush oncome alonggo intohave onmove forwardpass onrun onjump ongoon outgo on the scouthave a gogo offshove onkeep upwork ongo one betterhave it going onlead onplay alongcome on togo all the waygo downcoming onsteady ongo withoutdo onego about one's daylet ongo hamhold onon the gogo fargo awayget on uplook on