Go for means to choose something from several options, or to try to achieve a goal. In the first meaning, people use it about food, shopping and decisions: I'll go for the fish means you're choosing the fish. The second is about a job, a promotion or a record; that's where Go for it! comes from, meaning give it a try.
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go for + option (dish, flat, colour); go for + goal (job, promotion, record); Go for it!
- I couldn't decide between the two flats, so I went for the one near the station.
- If you really want to study abroad, go for it, because the worst they can say is no.
- She's going for the head of marketing job, and she has a good chance of getting it.
What changed
First versionFor the main course, I'll be the grilled fish, please.
RevisionFor the main course, I'll go for the grilled fish, please.
I'll be the fish sounds as if you're about to turn into a fish, because be means to exist as something. When choosing a dish, people say I'll go for or I'll have, so be is replaced with go for.
Go for it and go ahead can both sound like yes, do it, but the meaning differs. Go ahead gives permission: Can I open the window? Go ahead. Go for it encourages someone before a difficult or risky step: I want to run a marathon. Go for it!
Your turn
When a manager's position opened up in her department, Maria decided to ___ it, even though she had only two years' experience.
Show the answer
go for — Maria wants the position and decides to try for it even though she doesn't have much experience, so go for. Go to simply means to go somewhere, and it isn't used for trying to get a job.
Write about a goal you've decided to go after: a new job, an exam, a competition. Name the goal and what you're doing to achieve it.
I've decided to go for a promotion this year, so I'm taking a project management course in the evenings.
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