a-going

A child sets a toy train a-going on its track.

Definition

1. Adjective & Adverb:
   • In motion or operation: "a-going" describes something that is currently moving, functioning, or in progress. It is often used in informal or dialectal English to emphasize an ongoing state or action.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The engine is a-going. (The engine is currently running or operating.)
  • The party is a-going well. (The party is in progress and proceeding smoothly.)

• Adverb:

  • He set the machine a-going. (He started the machine and made it operate.)
  • They kept the business a-going for years. (They maintained the business in active operation for many years.)

Advanced Usage

• "to set a-going": to initiate or start something moving or operating.
  • She set the clock a-going after replacing the batteries. (She started the clock running.)
  • The new manager set the project a-going with a clear plan. (The manager initiated the project's progress.)

Variants and Related Words

• Going (adj/n): active, current, or in progress.
  • The going rate for this service is $50 per hour. (The current standard price.)
• Ongoing (adj): continuing without interruption.
  • The investigation is ongoing. (The investigation is still in progress.)

Synonyms

• In motion: moving or functioning.
• Operational: ready and able to work.
• Underway: having started and progressing.

Related Idioms

• "Keep things a-going": to maintain progress or activity.
  • We need more volunteers to keep things a-going. (We need more people to ensure the activity continues.)
• "Get something a-going": to start or initiate something.
  • Let's get this project a-going before the deadline. (Let's start this project promptly.)