English Phrase of the Day

go by

Definitions

English > English
go by
1. v. To pass or go past without much interaction
I like to sit and watch the world go by. The rest of the day went by quickly.
2. v. To be called, to use as a name.
His full name is Ernest Tinkleton, but he goes by Ernie.
3. v. To follow; to assume as true for the purposes of making a decision, taking an action, etc.
I'm only going by what my teacher said.
a good rule to go by
Analysis
go
1. v. To move:
2. v. (intransitive) To move through space (especially to or through a place). (May be used of tangible things like people or cars, or intangible things like
Why don’t you go with us? This train goes through Cincinnati on its way to Chicago. Chris, where are you going? &nbs
3. v. (intransitive) To move or travel through time (either literally—in a fictional or hypothetical situation in which time travel is possible—or in one's m
Yesterday was the second-wettest day on record; you have to go all the way back to 1896 to find a day when more rain fell.
by
1. prep. Near or next to.
The mailbox is by the bus stop.
2. prep. At some time before (the given time), or before the end of a given time interval.
Be back by ten o'clock! We will send it by the first week of July.
3. prep. Indicates the actor in a clause with its verb in the passive voice: Through the action or presence of.

You can't go by that thing.

A few seconds of conspicuous silence go by.

Buildings go by and she cranes to look, but it's not what she's looking for.

But if this scrum is anything to go by, now a figure of fun, too.

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