go getter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "go getter" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who is ambitious and proactive in achieving their goals. Example: "She is a real go getter, always seeking new opportunities." Alternative expressions include "self-starter," "driven individual," and "ambitious person."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Go getter?

Vice

He then directed The Go Getter (1937), a melodrama that was Berkeley's first nonmusical film.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An entrepreneur is a go getter.

HuffPost

Harrelson plays Jake, a go getter.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

She's a go-getter".

The New York Times

Mr. Go-Getter.

The New Yorker

He's a go-getter.

The New York Times

A go-getter.

The Washington Post

She was a go-getter".

The New York Times

Clearly, she's a go-getter.

Harvard Business Review

Kukai was a go-getter.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ this phrase to add a sense of energy and proactive spirit to a personality description.

Common error

While being a "go getter" is a positive trait, the term has become a cliché in the recruitment world. Instead of using the label itself, demonstrate the quality by describing specific achievements or using more precise verbs like "spearheaded" or "initiated".

Linguistic Context

In terms of grammatical function, "go getter" acts as a compound noun phrase used to identify a person characterized by initiative and ambition. According to Ludwig AI, it is almost exclusively used as a subject complement or an appositive to describe a specific individual's personality type.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "go getter" is a robust and widely recognized term for describing ambitious individuals. While Ludwig AI notes that exact matches for the unhyphenated form appear less frequently than the standard "go-getter", both versions are accepted in contemporary English. It is a highly positive descriptor that signals a person's willingness to take initiative. However, because it is so common in business journalism and news, writers should be careful not to use it as a placeholder for more detailed descriptions of success. In summary, use "go getter" to capture a person's spirited drive, but consider hyphenating it for better alignment with formal editorial standards.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

self-starter

Standard professional term often used in business and job descriptions

ambitious person

More direct and literal description without the idiomatic tone

high achiever

Focuses on the results and success rather than the energy of the pursuit

striver

Emphasizes the continuous effort and upward mobility

hustler

More colloquial and implies a very aggressive or unconventional approach

man of action

Focuses on the transition from planning to doing

dynamo

Metaphorical term emphasizing immense energy and power

fireball

Highly idiomatic term for someone with explosive energy and speed

eager beaver

Slightly more informal and sometimes implies excessive enthusiasm

live wire

Focuses more on the person's alert and energetic personality

FAQs

Is "go getter" one word or two?

It is most commonly written as two words or hyphenated. According to dictionary standards, "go-getter" is the preferred spelling when used as a noun.

What is a professional alternative to "go getter" for a CV?

In a professional context, you might prefer "self-starter", "highly motivated individual" or "high achiever" to avoid clichés.

How do you use "go getter" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an ambitious person, such as: "She is a real "go getter" who identified the market gap and launched her business within months."

Is the phrase "go getter" formal or informal?

The phrase is generally considered neutral but leans toward informal. For very formal writing, you should use "ambitious professional" or "enterprising individual".