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Synonyms

go-to

American  
[goh-too] / ˈgoʊˌtu /

noun

  1. a reliable person or thing one turns to as a preferred resource, strategy, option, etc..

    She’s our go-to for computer advice.

    This dish is my go-to when I need something quick for a potluck.

  2. a person’s standard way of behaving or responding; reflex.

    He’s not trying to impress you—that courtly politeness is his go-to with everybody.

adjective

  1. relied on and turned to as a preferred resource, strategy, option, etc., for a particular purpose.

    She’s been the team’s go-to penalty kicker all season.

    This is my go-to dictionary.

  2. being a person’s standard way of behaving or responding; usual or habitual.

    When I tell them to get off the computer, their go-to excuse is that they need it for homework.
go to British  

verb

  1. to be awarded to

    the Nobel prize last year went to a Scot

  2. to tackle a task vigorously

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

interjection

  1. archaic an exclamation expressing surprise, encouragement, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

    1. (of a person) extremely dependable

      the go-to guy in the team

    2. (of a place) popularly visited

      go-to destinations
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
go to Idioms  

  1. See going to .

  2. Also, go toward . Contribute to a result, as in Can you name the bones that go to make the arms and legs? or The director has a good eye for seeing what will go toward an entire scene . [c. 1600]

  3. Begin, start, as in By the time she went to call, she'd forgotten what she wanted to say . The related idiom go to it means “get started, get going.” P.G. Wodehouse used it in Louder & Funnier (1932): “Stoke up and go to it.” [First half of 1700s]

Etymology

Origin of go-to

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“We think Oracle should be one of the go-to investment names given its AI datacenter business and its core database business,” Moerdler wrote.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

There wasn't much atmosphere, wasn't much attitude, wasn't any real standout displays from any of Scotland's go-to men, who were all a bit timid.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Once you get over the hurdle of excessifying your eggs, you’ll have a few go-to recipes that are uniquely yours.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

By 1967, with a US karate championship title earned at Madison Square Garden under his belt, Norris was the go-to instructor for celebrities like Steve McQueen, Priscilla Presley and Donny Osmond.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

She’s the go-to for everything from hellhounds to lightning birds to tonics.

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.