1
informal
: relied on and regularly turned to for expert knowledge, skill, or performance
the company's go-to guy
Brown became the go-to researcher for genetic conundrums.—
Brad Lemley
Brad LemleyNowadays, one running back will get almost all of the carries, one reliever will get nearly all of the saves. And in the NBA, the evidence is mounting that "go-to guys" are scoring an ever greater proportion of the points in any particular game.—Steve Hirdt
Steve Hirdt2
informal
: regularly or repeatedly chosen or employed for reliably good results
O'Neal's go-to move has become a soft jump hook, which he can shoot with either hand.—Chris Ballard
Chris BallardWhile mozzarella may be the go-to cheese for pizza, … blue cheese … can also be great.—Sam Gugino
Sam GuginoA waitress came by and Reacher ordered his go-to breakfast, which was coffee plus a short stack of pancakes with eggs, bacon, and maple syrup.—Lee Child
Lee Child
plural go-tos also go-to's
: someone or something that is regularly or repeatedly chosen or employed for reliably good results
A neat pour of rye whiskey is usually my go-to after making cocktails all night; they have a great selection to choose from.—Sarah Troxell
Sarah TroxellI would say I get my style inspiration definitely from like that old, Hollywood classic look. I love Audrey Hepburn—she's my go-to.—Laura McKinney
Laura McKinney… cable channels such as Animal Planet, National Geographic and, especially, HGTV have become the go-tos for most waiting rooms.—Kevyn Burger
Kevyn BurgerShe styled four ultra-chic looks for the new season, combining both winter go-to's and some on-trend pieces for spring.—GoodMorningAmerica.com
GoodMorningAmerica.com
went to; gone to; going to; goes to
1
archaic
—used interjectionally as an exhortation
and they said one to another, go to, let us make brick—Genesis 11:3 (King James Version)
Genesis 11:3 (King James Version)2
archaic
—used interjectionally to express disapproval or disbelief
go to, go to; you have known what you should not—William Shakespeare
William ShakespeareExamples of go-to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
Over the past few decades the go-to move was to simply throw out a spinning wing decoy or two (more on this in a moment).
—Joe Arterburn, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
Shanon Maglente, Good Housekeeping, 24 Mar. 2023
That the 240 seats at this restaurant are rarely bare is testament to its enduring popularity, particularly at lunchtime, when beautifully crafted dim sum are the go-to for foodies and the power-lunching set alike.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 28 Feb. 2023
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Adjective
The blithe big-tent-ism (which also seems to be Elton’s go-to interview stance) feels pat.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
Over the past few decades the go-to move was to simply throw out a spinning wing decoy or two (more on this in a moment).
—Joe Arterburn, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
Noun
Starting in the summer of 2020, while the founder Joey Wong was pregnant, the brand has established itself as a go-to for trendy jewelry.
—Shanon Maglente, Good Housekeeping, 24 Mar. 2023
That the 240 seats at this restaurant are rarely bare is testament to its enduring popularity, particularly at lunchtime, when beautifully crafted dim sum are the go-to for foodies and the power-lunching set alike.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 28 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for go-to
Dictionary Entries Near go-to
Cite this Entry
“Go-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/go-to. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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