go under
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle under
Meanings
Fail completely as a business or project
Why “under”? A business disappears because it can no longer continue.
“Many small shops went under last year.”
“The family cafe went under after rent rose.”
Move below the surface of water
Why “under”? A person or thing moves or stays below a surface.
“The damaged boat went under in minutes.”
“His head went under for a moment.”
Become unconscious because of medicine for a procedure
Why “under”? Medicine makes a person unconscious for a procedure, or the person becomes unconscious.
“I was nervous before I went under for the operation.”
“He went under quickly at the dentist.”
Don't confuse with
Go under means fail completely as a business or project. Go forth means set out or proceed onwards.
Test yourself
“Many small shops went under last year.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
go forth
A contrast learners often mix up
Begin a journey or continue forward
duck under
Same under pattern: below the surface
Lower the head or body to pass beneath something
pull under
Same under pattern: below the surface
Drag something or someone beneath the surface
put under
Same under pattern: unconscious
Give someone medicine so they are unconscious during a medical procedure
submerge under
Same under pattern: below the surface
Be covered completely by water
go about
Same base verb: go
Approach or carry out a task in a particular way; Do your normal activities
go across
Same base verb: go
Move from one side of a place to the other
go after
Same base verb: go
Pursue someone or something with effort
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