on the first go

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the first go" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was accomplished successfully on the first attempt without any mistakes or retries. Example: "I was surprised that I managed to solve the puzzle on the first go."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

If no one gets a majority on the first go, the second choices of those who favoured the person in last place are doled out until somebody does.

The Economist

No one is good at things on the first go and really interesting skills take time to learn but learning them at all will impress most people.

WikiHow

Berlin may be calling the shots when it comes to the bailouts, but it may find that it cannot control the whims of an increasingly angry Irish electorate, one that even during the good times rejected both the Nice and Lisbon treaties on the first go.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Why bend it to select families and not every child?" "If a child is not able to pass it on the first go round," she said, "maybe that child is not equipped to take the test.

The New York Times

Bickley says trying to do this is "frustrating beyond belief"; although, according to Barry, "people should go with goodwill and accept that they won't understand every word on the first go".

The Guardian - Music

In bouldering, competitors must master four short and highly gymnastic climbs, unroped but above padded mats, in the shortest number of attempts in four or five minutes, ideally on the first go.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

This metrics focuses on the quality of the first GO terms returned by the classifiers.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Your UX/UI design application may be a one-shot attempt, meaning it is critical to get the drawings right on the first go-round.

TechCrunch

To his utter amazement, the censorship commission accepted the work on the first go-round.

The New York Times - Arts

"No franchise agreement that I've ever seen is ever going to be acceptable on the first go-around.

The New York Times

It got out about half of the freshly applied stains, including a fair amount of rollerball ink, on the first go-round.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the first go" to emphasize a successful initial attempt, especially when the task is known to be difficult or require multiple tries. This can highlight skill, luck, or preparation.

Common error

While acceptable, "on the first go" can sound informal in formal or professional writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "at the first attempt" or "successfully on the initial try" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the first go" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which an action was performed. It specifies that something was achieved successfully with the initial attempt. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

32%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on the first go" is a common and generally acceptable idiom used to describe achieving something successfully on the first attempt. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct, although it leans slightly towards informal usage. While perfectly suitable for news and media, as well as informal contexts, it may be wise to choose more formal alternatives like "at the first attempt" in professional or academic settings. Remember to use this phrase to emphasize efficiency and a positive outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the first attempt

Replaces "go" with the more formal "attempt", indicating a try or effort.

on the first try

Substitutes "go" with "try", a more common and informal synonym.

on the initial attempt

A more formal and elaborate version of the original phrase.

from the start

Highlights success or understanding from the beginning.

at first blush

Emphasizes an immediate impression or initial assessment.

at the outset

Focuses on the very beginning of an action or event.

right away

Focuses on immediacy and the absence of delay.

immediately

Highlights the instantaneous nature of the action or result.

without hesitation

Indicates a lack of pause or doubt before acting.

straight away

British English equivalent emphasizing immediate action.

FAQs

How can I use "on the first go" in a sentence?

You can use "on the first go" to describe a successful initial attempt. For example, "She passed the exam "on the first go"", indicating she didn't need to retake it.

What does "on the first go" mean?

"On the first go" means succeeding or achieving something with the very first attempt, without needing any retries or additional efforts.

What can I say instead of "on the first go"?

You can use alternatives like "at the first attempt", "on the first try", or "at the outset" depending on the context.

Is "on the first go" formal or informal?

"On the first go" leans toward the informal side. While perfectly acceptable in everyday conversation, more formal alternatives like "at the first attempt" might be better suited for professional or academic writing.