go before
Definition
- Verb:
- To precede in time or order: "go before" means to exist, happen, or be placed earlier than something else in a sequence or timeline.
- To appear or be presented for consideration: "go before" can mean to be brought to the attention of an authority or group for judgment or approval.
Usage Examples
To precede in time or order:
- The events that went before this crisis were largely ignored. (The earlier events that happened before the crisis.)
- In the alphabet, the letter A goes before B. (A is placed earlier in the sequence.)
To appear or be presented for consideration:
- The proposal will go before the committee next week. (The proposal will be presented to the committee for review.)
- The case went before the judge yesterday. (The case was brought to the judge for a decision.)
Advanced Usage
"to go before the mast": a historical nautical term meaning to serve as a common sailor (not an officer).
- He chose to go before the mast rather than take a command. (He served as a regular crew member on a ship.)
"to go before one's time": to die prematurely or before one's expected lifespan.
- She went before her time, leaving a grieving family. (She died too young.)
Variants and Related Words
Foregoing (adj): previously mentioned or stated.
- The foregoing examples illustrate the point. (The examples mentioned earlier show the idea.)
Precede (v): to come before in time or order (a synonym).
- The appetizer preceded the main course. (The appetizer came before the main dish.)
Synonyms
- Precede: to come before in sequence.
- Antecede: to exist or occur earlier (formal).
- Lead: to be at the front or ahead of others.
Phrasal Verbs
Related Idioms
"What has gone before": refers to past events or previous circumstances.
- We must learn from what has gone before. (We must learn from past experiences.)
"To go before the board": to appear in front of a formal decision-making group.
- He had to go before the board to explain his actions. (He appeared before the governing body.)