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• go-by
  go-by

  noun

  a going by without notice; an intentional passing by; snub.
• go by
  go by

  verb

  to pass

go-by

American  

[goh-bahy] / ˈgoʊˌbaɪ /

noun

Informal.

1. a going by without notice; an intentional passing by; snub.

   to give one the go-by.

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go by ¹ British  

verb

1. to pass

   the cars went by

   as the years go by we all get older

   don't let those opportunities go by!

2. (preposition) to be guided by

   in the darkness we could only go by the stars

3. (preposition) to use as a basis for forming an opinion or judgment

   it's wise not to go only by appearances

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go-by ² British  

noun

1. slang a deliberate snub or slight (esp in the phrase give ( a person ) the go-by )

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go by Idioms  

1. Elapse, pass, as in the popular song, “As Time Goes By” (by Herman Hupfeld, 1931), or He just went by our house . [c. 1600]

2. Ignore, fail to notice or take advantage of, as in You shouldn't let this opportunity go by . [Early 1500s] For the related go by the board , see by the board .

3. Rely on, believe, as in I'm going by the numbers on this list , or We'll have to go by what she tells us .

4. go by the name of . Be known by or use a specific name. For example, She continued to go by her maiden name, Mary Smith . [Late 1500s]

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Etymology

Origin of go-by

First recorded in 1605–15; noun use of verb phrase go by

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

go-by go by

Competitors too cried hoarse saying Uber had been giving the go-by to background checks on the drivers it aggregated through its service.

From Forbes ● Dec. 8, 2014

I says what else do you expect except every dam drummer and cheap show that comes to town because even these town jellybeans give her the go-by now.

From "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner

Frank was of the same opinion; and felt deeply grateful in his heart that they had been wise enough to give that shelter the go-by when it offered.

From The Outdoor Chums on a Houseboat by Quincy Allen

Moreover, had you not, in this marked way, invited attention to the component elements of the Revising body, I was prepared to give the subject the go-by.

From The Revision Revised by John William Burgon

If you don't keep your word better'n that, I'll play tricks on you as would give the monkeys the go-by!'

From Fr?d?rique; vol. 1 by Charles Paul de Kock

Because time does go by, but some things—some people—endure.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

"In every single way that you can think, there is not one day, one decision, that doesn't go by without Corrie being at the forefront of it," she adds.

From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026

In 2026, your mother can contribute up to $95,000 in one go by electing to front-load five years of annual gift-tax exclusions.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026

In November, however, Jesse and Joey Buss, as well as the rest of their siblings except for Jeanie, were let go by the Lakers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

I try to shake the feeling as I watch the houses go by through the car window.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman