Definition

1. Verb:
   • To move beyond or by something: To physically move past a location, object, or person.
   • To exceed or surpass a standard, limit, or expectation: To be better than or go beyond a set point.

Usage

• The primary meaning involves movement beyond a point in space.
• The secondary meaning involves exceeding a non-physical limit, such as a score or expectation.
• It is a phrasal verb, so the words "go" and "past" are used together to create this specific meaning.

Examples

• Verb (Movement):
  • We watched the parade go past our window.
  • Please wait for the bus to go past before you cross the road.
• Verb (Exceeding):
  • Your test scores go past the class average.
  • The athlete's determination allowed him to go past his previous limits.

Advanced Usage

• "to go past the point of no return": To proceed beyond a stage where it is impossible to stop or change a course of action.
  • Once we sign the contract, we will have gone past the point of no return.
• "to go past someone's understanding": To be too complex for someone to comprehend.
  • The technical details of the lecture went past my understanding.

Variants and Related Words

• Pass by: A near-synonym for the movement meaning.
  • I saw him pass by the store.
• Surpass: A more formal synonym for the exceeding meaning.
  • She surpassed all her competitors.
• Exceed: A direct synonym for going beyond a limit.
  • Do not exceed the speed limit.

Synonyms

• Move past: For physical movement.
• Outdo: For exceeding in performance.
• Transcend: For going beyond ordinary limits.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Go by: Can be similar to "go past" in the context of time elapsing or moving past a point.
  • Years went by before they met again. (Time)
  • A car went by at high speed. (Movement)
• Go beyond: Emphasizes exceeding limits more strongly.
  • His generosity goes beyond what is expected.

Related Idioms

• Go past the pale: To behave in an unacceptable way (a variation of "beyond the pale").
  • His rude comments went past the pale.
• Go past your sell-by date: To become outdated or no longer effective.
  • That marketing strategy has gone past its sell-by date.

Verb

1. be superior or better than some standard
   • She exceeded our expectations
   • She topped her performance of last year
2. move past
   • A black limousine passed by when she looked out the window
   • He passed his professor in the hall
   • One line of soldiers surpassed the other