go-to

American  

[goh-too] / ˈgoʊˌtu /

noun

1. 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.

2. 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.

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adjective

1. 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.

2. 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

1. to be awarded to

   the Nobel prize last year went to a Scot

2. to tackle a task vigorously

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interjection

1. archaic an exclamation expressing surprise, encouragement, etc

adjective

1. 1. (of a person) extremely dependable

      the go-to guy in the team

   2. (of a place) popularly visited

      go-to destinations

go to Idioms  

1. See going to .

2. 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]

3. 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]

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Etymology

Origin of go-to

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

Owned by employees, the pair have relinquished their preinvasion roles as Moscow’s go-to oil merchants, making re-entry into Venezuela particularly attractive.

From The Wall Street Journal

Now, gold has become more of a go-to safe asset, benefiting the miners.

From Barron's

“It’s certainly not our go-to as it’s not often covered by insurance,” says Dr. Neha Narula, a primary-care physician at Stanford University School of Medicine.

From The Wall Street Journal

The foundation said the new space - named the King's Hall in honour of the monarch - could become the "go-to venue for high-end, luxury weddings and private events" both nationally and internationally.

From BBC

His go-to flavors are mango or minty.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• approach
• attain
• contact
• end
• go
• join
• lead
• make
• pass
• stand
• strike