go on

1) PHRASAL VERB If you go on doing something, or go on with an activity, you continue to do it.

[V P -ing] Unemployment is likely to go on rising this year...

[V P with n] I'm all right here. Go on with your work...

[V P] I don't want to leave, but I can't go on.

Syn:

continue

2) PHRASAL VERB If something is going on, it is happening.

[V P] While this conversation was going on, I was listening with earnest attention...

[V P] I don't know what's going on.

Syn:

take place

3) PHRASAL VERB If a process or institution goes on, it continues to happen or exist.

[V P] The population failed to understand the necessity for the war to go on.

Syn:

continue

4) PHRASAL VERB If you say that a period of time goes on, you mean that it passes.

[V P] Renewable energy will become progressively more important as time goes on.

Syn:

go by

5) PHRASAL VERB If you go on to do something, you do it after you have done something else.

[V P to-inf] Alliss retired from golf in 1969 and went on to become a successful broadcaster...

[V P to-inf] She went on to say that she had discussed it with the Canadian foreign minister.

6) PHRASAL VERB If you go on to a place, you go to it from the place that you have reached.

[V P prep/adv] He goes on to Holland tomorrow.

7) PHRASAL VERB If you go on, you continue saying something or talking about something.

[V P] Meer cleared his throat several times before he went on...

[V P with quote] `Go on,' Chee said. `I'm interested.'

8) PHRASAL VERB If you go on about something, or in British English go on at someone, you continue talking about the same thing, often in an annoying way. [INFORMAL]

[V P about n] Expectations have been raised with the Government going on about choice and market forces...

[V P at n to-inf] She's always going on at me to have a baby. [Also V P at n]

9) PHRASAL VERB: only imper You say `Go on' to someone to persuade or encourage them to do something. [INFORMAL]

[V P] Go on, it's fun.

10) PHRASAL VERB If you talk about the information you have to go on, you mean the information you have available to base an opinion or judgement on.

But you have to go on the facts...

[V P n] There's not much to go on.

11) PHRASAL VERB If an electrical device goes on, it begins operating.

[V P] A light went on at seven every evening.

Syn:

come on