n. & adj.
--n.
1. a the act or process of going. b an instance of this; a departure.
2 a the condition of the ground for walking, riding, etc. b progress affected by this (found the going hard).
--adj.
1. in or into action (set the clock going).
2 existing, available; to be had (there's cold beef going; one of the best fellows going).
3 current, prevalent (the going rate).
Phrases and idioms:
get going start steadily talking, working, etc. (can't stop him when he gets going). going away a departure, esp. on a honeymoon. going concern a thriving business. going for one colloq. acting in one's favour (he has got a lot going for him). going on fifteen etc. esp. US approaching one's fifteenth etc. birthday. going on for approaching (a time, an age, etc.) (must be going on for 6 years). going-over
1. colloq. an inspection or overhaul.
2 sl. a thrashing.
3 US colloq. a scolding. goings-on behaviour, esp. morally suspect. going to intending or intended to; about to; likely to (it's going to sink!). heavy going slow or difficult to progress with (found Proust heavy going). to be going on with to start with; for the time being. while the going is good while conditions are favourable.
Etymology: GO(1): in some senses f. earlier a-going: see A(2)