go-to
noun
a reliable person or thing one turns to as a preferred resource, strategy, option, etc..
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b-o-t-.
go-to
American
[goh-too]
/ ˈgoʊˌtu /
noun
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a reliable person or thing one turns to as a preferred resource, strategy, option, etc..
She’s our go-to for computer advice.
This dish is my go-to when I need something quick for a potluck.
-
a person’s standard way of behaving or responding; reflex.
He’s not trying to impress you—that courtly politeness is his go-to with everybody.
adjective
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relied on and turned to as a preferred resource, strategy, option, etc., for a particular purpose.
She’s been the team’s go-to penalty kicker all season.
This is my go-to dictionary.
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being a person’s standard way of behaving or responding; usual or habitual.
When I tell them to get off the computer, their go-to excuse is that they need it for homework.
go to
British
verb
-
to be awarded to
the Nobel prize last year went to a Scot
-
to tackle a task vigorously
interjection
adjective
go to
Idioms
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See going to .
-
Also, go toward . Contribute to a result, as in Can you name the bones that go to make the arms and legs? or The director has a good eye for seeing what will go toward an entire scene . [c. 1600]
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Begin, start, as in By the time she went to call, she'd forgotten what she wanted to say . The related idiom go to it means “get started, get going.” P.G. Wodehouse used it in Louder & Funnier (1932): “Stoke up and go to it.” [First half of 1700s]
Etymology
Origin of go-to
First recorded in 1980–85
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
If stock prices are your go-to economic barometer then you could be forgiven for ignoring the original “China Shock” a quarter-century ago.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
That’s my go-to spot because I like that you can actually control how hard you want the workout to be.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
I grew up on Maruchan’s chicken flavor ramen noodles, which are my go-to for making soups.
From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2026
The Dutch group supplies machines that use light to print tiny patterns that form circuits inside modern semiconductors, making it a go-to for big chip makers like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.,
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
As I started to learn Rachel’s go-to moves, I started scoring more and more.
From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad
While there, Khan suggested they go to the local Morrisons supermarket to buy food.
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026
The company still has a long way to go to reach Musk’s goal of $1 trillion of revenue by 2030.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026
If a child sees education modeled as important, that kid is more likely to go to college.
From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026
"I go to another room and... I hide to cry."
From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026
She refused the relative safety and comfort of house arrest with a German family and chose to go to prison instead.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
