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.
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.
to be awarded to
the Nobel prize last year went to a Scot
to tackle a task vigorously
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]
First recorded in 1980–85
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I grew up on Maruchan’s chicken flavor ramen noodles, which are my go-to for making soups.
From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2026
Southern California has emerged as a go-to address for fast-growing space and defense tech companies.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026
But considering “The Odyssey” and knowing that new tools would be required, Nolan contacted David and Patricia Keighley, his go-to people at Imax, and asked for their help.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026
In those days, basketball was the go-to sport for wheelchair users and had been suggested to Parks while he recuperated in hospital but he had other ideas.
From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026
He’s the guy who runs the lights for our assemblies, the go-to guy for anything technical.
From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali
When trying to see a full moon, it is recommended to go to open, elevated locations with low levels of light pollution and clear views of the eastern horizon.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
If your stepdad didn’t list anyone, it will automatically go to your mom.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
Judges around the country, however, are letting many cases go to trial on a theory that says their products are designed intentionally to addict people, sidestepping arguments that rely on claims of harmful content.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
“The 49ers didn’t want this out until the day it was time to go to training camp and it would have been obvious at that point, where’s Kyle? They wanted to wait until then.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
“I didn’t know that I was gonna go to the party—it was a spur-of-the-moment thing,” I reply.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
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.
