go on
/ˌɡoʊ ˈɑn/
Reviewed on
Type
Phrasal verb
Meaning
To continue an activity, process, or state without stopping.
The meeting went on for three hours longer than anyone expected.
Can you go on working while the technicians fix the network?
To occur or happen.
I had no idea what was going on outside the building.
Did anything interesting go on while we were away on vacation?
To proceed to do something subsequent or take a next step.
After finishing college, she went on to earn a law degree.
He answered the first question and then went on to the next topic.
To speak at great length, often in an annoying or tedious manner.
He went on and on about his new car during dinner.
Why must she always go on about her personal problems at work?
To start operating, illuminating, or functioning, especially automatically.
The streetlights go on automatically as soon as darkness falls.
Did the heating go on during the freezing weather last night?
How it's used
When this means “continue”
- go on with the story
Say “go on with it.” Not “go it on.”
Please go on with the story; we want to hear how it ends.
When this means “talk excessively about something”
- go on about the problem
Say “went on about it.” Not “go it on.”
He went on about the budget for an hour.
Collocations
- go on and on
- go on to become
- life goes on
Idioms
go on record
to state an opinion publicly and officially
The mayor went on record supporting the new transit plan.