Definition

1. Adjective:

   • In full operation; currently active or functioning: Used to describe a business, concern, or activity that is currently operating and successful.
   • Existing or available: Refers to something that is currently in existence or can be obtained.

2. Noun:

   • The act of leaving or departing: The action of moving away from a place.
   • The condition of a surface for travel: The state or quality of a road, path, or track, especially regarding ease of movement.
   • Rate of progress or speed: The pace at which something moves or proceeds.
   • A euphemism for death: A gentle or indirect term for dying or death.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • The company is a going concern with strong profits.
  • What is the going rate for a freelance writer these days?

• Noun:

  • Her sudden going surprised everyone at the party. (act of departing)
  • The going was tough on the muddy trail after the rain. (condition for travel)
  • We made good going and arrived before sunset. (rate of progress)
  • We were saddened by his going. (euphemism for death)

Advanced Usage

• "To have something going for one": To possess an advantage or favorable quality.
  • She has a lot going for her in this job interview.
• "While the going is good": While conditions are favorable.
  • We should sell the house now while the going is good.
• "A going concern": A business that is actively operating and is expected to continue.
  • The auditors confirmed it was a going concern.

Variants and Related Words

• Go (v): The base verb meaning to move or travel.
• Goings-on (n, plural): Events or activities, often of a surprising or dubious nature.
  • I don't like the strange goings-on in that house.
• Ongoing (adj): Continuing to exist or develop.
  • It's an ongoing investigation.

Synonyms

• Adjective (operating): Functioning, operational, active.
• Noun (departure): Departure, leaving, exit.
• Noun (progress): Progress, headway, pace.
• Noun (death): Passing, demise, decease.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: 'Going' is primarily a noun/adjective from the verb 'go'. The phrasal verbs belong to 'go'. Here are common ones where 'going' is the present participle.) - Be going to (do something): Used to express a future intention or a prediction based on present evidence. - I am going to visit my grandmother tomorrow. - Keep going: To continue moving or doing something. - Even when you're tired, you must keep going. - Have a lot going on: To be very busy or have many activities/events happening. - I can't meet this week; I have too much going on.

Related Idioms

• The going gets tough: When a situation becomes difficult.
  • The going gets tough, the tough get going. (Proverb meaning when conditions become difficult, strong people take action.)
• Easy going / Tough going: Describing something that is easy or difficult to accomplish.
  • Persuading him was easy going.
  • The project has been tough going lately.
• A going-away present: A gift given to someone who is leaving, often for a new job or to move far away.
  • They bought her a book as a going-away present.

Adjective

1. in full operation
   • a going concern

Noun

1. advancing toward a goal
   • persuading him was easy going
   • the proposal faces tough sledding
2. euphemistic expressions for death
   • thousands mourned his passing
3. the act of departing