Is 'get-up-and-go' a noun or a verb?

It is exclusively a noun. You cannot conjugate it as a verb.

Can I say 'get-up-and-goes'?

No, it is an uncountable (mass) noun and is not used in the plural.

Is this term formal or informal?

It is informal and colloquial. Use more formal synonyms like 'initiative' or 'drive' in formal writing.

What's a simple synonym for 'get-up-and-go'?

'Energy' or 'drive' are the closest simple synonyms.

How do you pronounce “get-up-and-go”?

Get-up-and-go: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡet ʌp ən ˈɡəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡet ʌp ən ˈɡoʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

get-up-and-go: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

UK/ˌɡet ʌp ən ˈɡəʊ/US/ˌɡet ʌp ən ˈɡoʊ/

Informal, colloquial

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “get-up-and-go” mean?

Enthusiastic energy and determination to take action.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

Enthusiastic energy and determination to take action.

A positive, can-do attitude; a proactive force or motivation within a person; the spirit of initiative and drive.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No major difference in meaning or usage. The term is recognized and used in both varieties, though slightly more common in American English.

Connotations

Positively associated with dynamism, vigour, and a proactive attitude.

Frequency

More frequent in spoken, casual English than formal writing. It has a lively, slightly folksy tone in both varieties.

Grammar

How to Use “get-up-and-go” in a Sentence

[Subject] has/get/lacks + get-up-and-go[Verb: need, show, display] + get-up-and-gowith/without + get-up-and-go

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

full of get-up-and-golots of get-up-and-golacking get-up-and-goneed some get-up-and-go

medium

that get-up-and-go attitudehis usual get-up-and-goa bit of get-up-and-golose your get-up-and-go

weak

restore your get-up-and-goget-up-and-go spiritwith get-up-and-go

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Used in informal business contexts to praise an employee's proactive energy: 'We need someone with real get-up-and-go for the new project.'

Academic

Rarely used in formal academic writing; may appear in informal student discourse.

Everyday

Common in conversation to describe personal energy levels or character: 'I haven't got my usual get-up-and-go this morning.'

Technical

Not used in technical contexts.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “get-up-and-go”

Strong

dynamism vervevim and vigourzest

Neutral

energy drive motivation initiative

Weak

go oomph pep zip

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “get-up-and-go”

lethargy apathysluggishnessindolence inertia

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “get-up-and-go”

Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He get-up-and-goes to work' is incorrect).
Pluralising it (*get-up-and-gos).
Confusing it with the literal action of getting up and leaving.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: It is exclusively a noun. You cannot conjugate it as a verb.
: No, it is an uncountable (mass) noun and is not used in the plural.
: It is informal and colloquial. Use more formal synonyms like 'initiative' or 'drive' in formal writing.
: 'Energy' or 'drive' are the closest simple synonyms.
: Get-up-and-go: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡet ʌp ən ˈɡəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡet ʌp ən ˈɡoʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“The get-up-and-go has got up and gone. (humorous: lost one's energy)”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a person who is so energetic that they GET UP from their chair AND GO do something immediately—that's get-up-and-go.

Conceptual Metaphor

ENERGY / MOTIVATION IS A MOVING FORCE / FUEL (e.g., 'full of', 'lacking', 'run out of').

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

After a good night's sleep, I woke up with my usual .

Multiple Choice

In which sentence is 'get-up-and-go' used correctly?