2025-03-03 Go-to – The English We Speak

Introduction

Your ‘go-to’ is your preferred option. Learn how to use this expression here.

Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, where we explain phrases used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them too. I’m Feifei, and on this really cold day, I’m with Phil. But how come you’re not cold, Phil?

Phil
Ah well, I’ve just had lunch. Hot soup. Hot potato and leek soup. It’s perfect for a winter’s day. It’s my go-to for a cold day.

Feifei
Your go-to? That sounds like it could be the expression of this programme.

Phil
Why not? A ‘go-to’ is something that you, well, go to a lot, or in a particular situation.

Feifei
A ‘go-to’ is a preferred option, so if I said Phil was my go-to for soup, he’d be my preferred option when I need someone to make me soup.

Phil
And you can have a go-to for anything. A nice cafe might be your go-to for lunch. A quiet spot might be your go-to to relax. You might even have an outfit that’s your go-to for parties.

Feifei
Let’s hear some more examples of people using ‘go-to’.

Examples
When I’m trying to get warm in the winter, my hot water bottle is my go-to.

There’s a small butcher near my home which is my go-to for fresh lamb chops.

I’m so annoyed because my programme that’s my go-to for relaxing in the evening has been cancelled, and now I don’t know what I’m going to do.

Feifei
Now, we’ve been looking at ‘go-to’ as a noun, but we can also use it a compound adjective. We already know that you’re my go-to guy for soup. 

Phil
Yes, and we can talk about go-to options, go-to holiday spots, a go-to resource to find answers to things.

Feifei
And if you’re looking for a go-to website to learn English from, look no further than BBC Learning English! We’ll be back next time with another expression.

Phil
See you then! Bye!

Feifei
Bye!