ENGLISH
REFERENCE

go at

phr. v..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford Informal

phr. v.. to attack someone or something with a lot of energy or force.

phr. v.. to attack or approach a task with vigor, aggression, or determination; often used to describe physical altercations or energetic work.


SIMPLE

He went at the project with great energy.

CONTEXTUAL

The two boxers went at each other from the very first round.

COMPLEX

The critics went at the new policy with such ferocity that the minister was forced to issue a public apology within hours.

Particles
at
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
go + at + object
Usage

usually followed by an object; 'go at it' is a common informal variation meaning to argue or fight.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'go for', which implies a choice or goal, whereas 'go at' emphasizes the intensity or aggression of the action itself.

Pitfall

They went at to the problem.They went at the problem.'go at' is a transitive phrasal verb that takes a direct object without an extra preposition like 'to'.

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