go big on

USAGE SUMMARY

"go big on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone is very enthusiastic or severe about something. For example, "I'm going to go big on planning my vacation this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Go big on meaning.

Harvard Business Review

We want to go big on this one".

TechCrunch

Oh yes, don't go big on too many one-sided predictions here.

BBC

Hawksmoor in London was one of the first restaurants to go big on the lobster roll after co-owner Huw Gott was inspired by "a hot lobster roll I had at Red's Eats in Maine – freshly steamed lobster smothered in butter – a revelation".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Study: China could go big on wind power — if it adjusts its grid operations.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"We applaud the president for heeding the advice from progressives that he go big on his jobs plan".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

It occurs to me that the 2020 Democrats should go bigger on these issues.

The Washington Post

Going big on North Korea failed.

The Washington Post

Eurovision has been going big on export.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The Post's View: Going big on North Korea failed.

The Washington Post

Refn, who is colour blind, always goes big on red.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "go big on", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being emphasized or invested in. The object of the phrase should be explicit to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "go big on" for trivial or minor actions. The phrase implies a significant commitment, so it's inappropriate to use it when describing small or insignificant efforts. Make sure the action is substantial enough to warrant this expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go big on" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it's used to describe a strategic decision of emphasizing, investing heavily, or focusing intensely on something. Examples include 'go big on wind power' or 'go big on marketing'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

12%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

The Guardian - TV & Radio

0.02%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "go big on" is a commonly used idiomatic verb phrase that means to enthusiastically or substantially invest, focus, or emphasize something. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, especially in news and media. While it is considered suitable for general use, more formal alternatives might be preferable in academic or highly professional settings. The key is to ensure the context clearly indicates what is being emphasized or invested in, and that the action is significant enough to warrant the use of this expression. Remember, you can use alternatives like "emphasize strongly" or "invest heavily in".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a major push for

This highlights the effort put into achieving something, but does not necessarily involve large investments.

pursue aggressively

This alternative focuses on the intensity and determination of the pursuit, but it does not necessarily involve a big commitment or emphasis.

invest heavily in

This suggests a significant financial or resource commitment, which is a core aspect of "go big on", but it excludes non-investment contexts.

concentrate resources on

This option emphasizes the allocation of resources, rather than the enthusiastic or severe application implied by "go big on".

emphasize strongly

This alternative focuses on the act of highlighting or stressing something significantly, rather than necessarily investing in it.

fully commit to

This phrase stresses dedication and resolve, but doesn't automatically mean a large scale or intense action.

focus intently on

This phrase narrows the scope to concentrating one's attention, possibly excluding other aspects of investing or expanding resources.

place a strong emphasis on

This option is more about highlighting importance than about investment or expansion.

prioritize significantly

This phrase highlights the act of placing importance on something, but does not necessarily imply large-scale action.

heavily promote

This emphasizes the act of advertising or advocating strongly for something, excluding scenarios related to investments or other actions.

FAQs

How can I use "go big on" in a sentence?

You can use "go big on" to describe a situation where someone is investing heavily or focusing intensely on something. For example, "The company decided to "go big on" marketing this quarter."

What are some alternatives to "go big on"?

Some alternatives include "emphasize strongly", "invest heavily in", or "make a major push for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "go big on" appropriate for formal writing?

While "go big on" is widely understood, it leans towards a more informal tone. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "prioritize significantly" or "concentrate resources on" to maintain a professional register.

What's the difference between "go big on" and "focus on"?

"Focus on" simply means to direct attention to something. "Go big on", however, implies not only focusing on something but also investing significant resources or effort into it. It suggests a more substantial commitment.