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give the go-by. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
give the go-by, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
give the go-by in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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English
Verb
give the go-by (third-person singular simple present gives the go-by, present participle giving the go-by, simple past gave the go-by, past participle given the go-by)
- (transitive, now rare) To leave behind, outdistance.
2007 August 5, Sunday Mail:Sliding Cube was taken on in front at Randwick and a couple of runners gave her the ‘go by’ when the field straightened.
- (transitive) To avoid dealing with; to disregard, ignore.
1844, John Wilson, Essay on the Genius, and Character of Burns:[T]hey express sweetly enough some natural sentiments,—and what more would you have in a song? You have had far more in some songs to which we have given the go-by […]
1911, Max Beerbohm, Zuleika Dobson:To those other, those so august, accomplishments she no more pretended. She gave them the go-by.
- (transitive) To snub (someone); to end a relationship.
2012, Christina Brooke, Mad About the Earl:"If you mean to give him the go-by, you ought to do it cleanly […] and not string the fellow along."