go without: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to Informal; common in spoken and everyday written English.
Quick answer
What does “go without” mean?
To manage or survive despite not having something one needs or desires.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To manage or survive despite not having something one needs or desires.
Can also imply voluntarily abstaining from something, or experiencing a lack or deprivation of an expected or customary thing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The phrase is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Equally connotes endurance or lack in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally common and natural in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “go without” in a Sentence
Subject + go without + (Direct Object)Go without + (Gerund/Noun Phrase)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “go without” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- During the hike, we had to go without a proper loo for days.
- Can you go without checking your mobile for an hour?
American English
- During the road trip, we had to go without a proper bathroom for days.
- Can you go without checking your cell phone for an hour?
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
'The startup had to go without a proper marketing budget for the first year.'
Academic
'In the experiment, the control group went without the nutritional supplement.'
Everyday
'If we run out of milk, we'll just have to go without in our tea.'
Technical
'The system is designed to go without a manual reboot for up to five years.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “go without”
- Using it intransitively without an implied object (e.g., 'I had to go without' – correct if context is clear).
- Confusing with 'go out without' which simply describes an action done while lacking something.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mostly, as it implies a lack. However, it can be positive in contexts of voluntary abstinence for a benefit, e.g., 'going without sugar for health reasons'.
Yes, e.g., 'We have been going without reliable internet for weeks.'
They are largely synonymous. 'Go without' can sometimes emphasise the experience of deprivation, while 'do without' can emphasise the act of managing. The choice is often stylistic.
Yes, the structure is 'go without + object'. The object can be a noun (food) or a gerund (eating).
To manage or survive despite not having something one needs or desires.
Go without is usually neutral to informal; common in spoken and everyday written english. in register.
Go without: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡəʊ wɪˈðaʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡoʊ wɪˈðaʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Go without saying (to be obvious or unquestionable)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a person trying to GO on a journey WITHOUT their suitcase – they have to manage without their things.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY (where 'going' without something is a part of the path) and POSSESSION IS HAVING (so not having is a form of motion away from possession).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'go without' used CORRECTLY?