- From the very beginning; right from the start.
Explanation
Origin
- American English slang, dating back to the late 1800s.
- Get-go likely evolved from get going or go.
- It emphasizes the absolute start of something.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- From jump (Street slang, meaning from the very start)
- Straight out the gate
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- From the fucking start
Milder/Formal:
- From the outset
- From its inception
- At the very beginning
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal to Semi-formal.
- Very common in everyday conversation and many work contexts, but might sound slightly too informal for very formal writing.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Generally well understood. Non-native speakers might just need to learn it as a fixed phrase meaning from the beginning.
Examples
- I knew this project would be difficult from the get-go.
- He was involved in the company's planning from the get-go.
- There were problems with the car from the get-go.
Dialogue
Anna: This new software is really buggy.
Ben: Tell me about it. I've been saying that from the get-go, ever since the beta test.
Anna: You were right. They should have listened to the early feedback.
Ben: Exactly.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Knew this collaboration was going to be fire from the get-go! 🔥 So proud of what we created. #music #collaboration #success
- Reddit Comment: The relationship had red flags from the get-go, but I ignored them. #lessonslearned #datingadvice
- Facebook Post: This company has valued its employees from the get-go. That's why I've stayed for 10 years! #workanniversary #companyculture
Response Patterns
- I thought so too.
- Really? Why do you say that?
- That explains a lot.
- Okay. (Acknowledgement)
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- Ask for clarification or reasons (Why was it difficult from the get-go?).
- Agree or disagree based on own knowledge.
- Discuss the implications of something being true from the start.
Conversation Starter
- No. Used to specify the timing of something relative to its beginning.
Intonation
- Stress usually on get-go. Sometimes also on from.
- Often used for emphasis. From the GET-GO.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood, perhaps slightly more common among Gen X and older Millennials, but still used by younger generations.
Regional Variations
- Originally American, but now widely understood and used in other English-speaking regions (UK, Aus, Can), though perhaps less frequently than native alternatives like from the start.