go-to
Americannoun
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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.
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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.
verb
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to be awarded to
the Nobel prize last year went to a Scot
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to tackle a task vigorously
interjection
adjective
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See going to .
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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.
Gold -- a key go-to safe haven in times of turmoil -- climbed two percent.
From Barron's
The precious metal surged past $5,350/oz this morning and is now up around 22% year to date, reinforcing its role as the go-to safe haven when geopolitical risks escalate, the market analyst says.
Massively popular video game "Fortnite", TV news graphics and acclaimed animated series and films have something in common: use of the powerful Unreal Engine that is quickly becoming the go-to tool for 3D projects beyond the video games industry.
From Barron's
The neighborhood tavern is getting a revival as the go-to place for a good meal, a cold drink and a sense of community.
Such quick meals, often categorized under the umbrella term “lazy cooking,” have taken social media by storm, with several food content creators sharing their go-to lazy recipes.
From Salon
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.
