go on

What does "go on" mean?

1. To continue doing something or happening
2. To happen or take place
3. To proceed to the next thing
4. To talk for too long about something (informal)

Examples

• The meeting went on for three hours without a break.
• What's going on here? Why is everyone shouting?
• Please go on with your story—I'm listening.
• She kept going on about her vacation for weeks.
• Life goes on, even after difficult times.

How to use it

'What's going on?' is a very common way to ask what's happening. 'Go on!' can encourage someone to continue or express disbelief.

Similar expressions

Opposites

Related phrasal verbs

• go out

  To leave your home for social activities or entertainment

• go through

  To experience something difficult or unpleasant

• go ahead

  To proceed with something; to start or continue an action

• go off

  To explode or fire (bomb, gun, fireworks)

• go back

  To return to a place

• go away

  To leave a place or person