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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

Give the moon, the stars, the silent streets the go-by for once.

From The Intriguers by Le Queux, William

But Stevens here got in such a way about it, that I felt sorry for him, and I gave them all the go-by for him.

From The Red Mouse by Osborne, William Hamilton

I mean as I've made up my mind to give him the go-by for you.

From Peccavi by Hornung, E. W. (Ernest William)

“I heard a ‘zoom’ go by and I could see them through my window,” Smith told the station.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026

Panel members have remained tight-lipped about what they will recommend, but if a German panel is anything to go by, they will not advise a blanket ban.

From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026

The film is a distinctly modern rumination on the desire to shut off and watch the world go by, without forming an opinion on the horrors.

From Salon ● Jun. 10, 2026

“Because I didn’t really understand the connection, I focused on my heart, and then I kind of let my kidneys go by the wayside,” said Franklin.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 9, 2026

I was smack in the middle of Bugs Bunny when I saw them go by.

From "Crash" by Jerry Spinelli