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go for — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb3 meanings
go for
choose or try to getattackbe sold at (price)

Meaning 1 · most common

choose or try to get

  • go for sth
  • informal
A scene showing “go for” meaning “choose or try for”.

to choose something or try to get or achieve it, often because you want it or think it's the best option.

How oftenVery common
LevelB1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

If you're not sure which dessert to have, I recommend you go for the chocolate cake.

A: Which job are you going to apply for?
B: I think I'll go for the marketing position.

Common mistake

Not: I'll go for to the pasta.

Say: I'll go for the pasta.

'Go for + thing' directly — no 'to'.

More on “choose or try to get”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If I had the chance to study abroad, I would definitely go for it because I love experiencing new cultures.

Tell it apart

I'll go for the steak.

  • choose

It went for a high price.

  • was sold at

Goes with

  • go for + choice
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Next meaning: attack

Meaning 2

attack

  • go for sth
  • informal
A scene showing “go for” meaning “attack”.

to attack someone or something, either physically or with words.

How oftenNow and then
LevelB2
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

The dog suddenly went for the mailman as he walked past the gate.

A: What happened at the football match?
B: Two players started shouting, and then one just went for the other.

Common mistake

Not: Why are you going for at me?

Say: Why are you going for me?

'Go for someone' takes a direct object — no extra preposition. (For criticism, 'have a go at' is also common.)

More on “attack”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In some debates, people go for their opponents personally instead of focusing on the topic.

Tell it apart

The dog went for the intruder.

  • attacked

I'll go for the salad.

  • choose

Goes with

  • go for + target
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Next meaning: be sold at (price)

Meaning 3

be sold at (price)

  • go for amount/price
A scene showing “go for” meaning “be sold for a price”.

to be sold for a particular amount of money, especially at an auction or in a financial context.

How oftenNow and then
LevelC2
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

The rare manuscript went for over £50,000 at the auction.

A: Did you hear how much that vintage car went for?
B: Yeah, it went for nearly half a million dollars. Unbelievable!

Common mistake

Not: These flats are going at £300,000.

Say: These flats are going for £300,000.

It's 'go FOR + price', not 'go at'.

More on “be sold at (price)”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

At Sotheby’s, several paintings went for record-breaking sums, highlighting the growing demand for contemporary art.

Tell it apart

The car went for £8,000.

  • sold at that price

I'd go for the blue one.

  • choose

Goes with

  • go for + price
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choose or try to getattackbe sold at (price)