go-to
noun
a reliable person or thing one turns to as a preferred resource, strategy, option, etc..
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go-to
American
[goh-too]
/ ˈgoʊˌtu /
noun
-
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
-
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.
-
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
-
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]
-
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:
Plus, Miami’s wealthiest take to the air and sea and the Catskills become a go-to destination for wealthy New Yorkers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
Do you have a go-to strategy to save or grow your money?
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026
Como's Roman-walled centre is already covered by a limited-traffic zone, and bicycles have become a go-to method of transport for locals.
From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026
However, Nall said, she wouldn’t recommend AI as a go-to source.
From Salon ● Aug. 19, 2026
“Nothing,” said Jake, because that was his go-to answer for all sorts of Mom questions.
From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein
In California, county district attorneys are responsible for prosecuting the vast majority of accused murderers when they go to trial and also deciding whether to seek the death penalty.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026
The workshop is open daily from March to November, though she took one day off in August to go to the beach.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026
Nearly 60 percent of Canada's imports come from the United States and about 70 percent of its exports go to the US market.
From Barron's ● Sep. 8, 2026
Since leaving Aston Villa to go to Roma, Donyell Malen has been incredible, scoring almost a goal per game as a lone striker for Gian Piero Gasperini's side.
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026
Lloyd wondered why anybody thought he was too old to go to the crick.
From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck
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.
