go for

verb

went for; gone for; going for; goes for

transitive

1

: to pass for or serve as

Silvered glass once went for mirrors.

2

: to try to secure or attain (something, such as a goal)

go for the prize

Stop hesitating and just go for it.

3

a

: to accept or agree to

I asked for a loan, but they wouldn't go for it.

b

: to have an interest in or liking for

doesn't go for modern art

She went for him in a big way.

—Chandler Brossard

I could go for [=would like] a cup of coffee.

4

: attack, assail

My dog went for the intruder.

5

: to hold true : be valid

The rules go for you, too.

Examples of go for in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Used units go for as little as $30 to $150 on eBay or Swappa, with some sellers openly advertising the free storage hack. — Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Anna’s sheer lace dress with a huge keyhole in the front and an open back is fine but also like a million other dresses; the same goes for Jude’s nicely constructed, but very familiar, black velvet dress with a corset. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026

In most cases, however, people can go for 3 to 4 hours between bathroom visits. — Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2026

Jackson Stecher goes for Noah de la Cruz but Bishop Moore’s Nyshaun Drye steps in for the interception. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for go for

• abhor
• abor
• adore
• afore
• ardour
• ashore
• backdoor
• before
• bookstore
• candour
• centaur
• claymore