go without
يستغني عن
Literalmente: to move/proceed without [something]
Use `go without` when you are surviving or functioning despite missing a common item or habit.
En 15 segundos
- To manage your life while lacking a specific necessity or comfort.
- Used for both intentional sacrifices and accidental shortages.
- Works in casual conversation, business, and writing.
Significado
It means living or managing your day without something you usually have or need. It is about surviving a situation even when a specific item or person is missing.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Running out of milk in the morning
We ran out of milk, so I had to go without for my cereal.
نفد الحليب منا، لذا اضطررت للاستغناء عنه في حبوب الإفطار.
Discussing a tight project budget
The team might have to go without extra software this quarter.
قد يضطر الفريق للاستغناء عن برامج إضافية هذا الربع.
Texting a friend about a lost charger
Forgot my charger! Gonna have to go without my phone tonight.
نسيت الشاحن! سأضطر للاستغناء عن هاتفي الليلة.
Contexto cultural
The phrase reflects a historical Western value of resilience and self-denial, particularly during the rationing eras of the 20th century. It has evolved from a necessity of war into a modern expression of self-discipline or lifestyle choices like fasting or budgeting.
The 'Do Without' Twin
You can almost always swap `go without` for `do without`. `Do without` sounds slightly more active, like you are making a choice.
The Obvious Trap
Don't confuse `go without` with `it goes without saying`. The second one means something is so obvious it doesn't need to be mentioned.
En 15 segundos
- To manage your life while lacking a specific necessity or comfort.
- Used for both intentional sacrifices and accidental shortages.
- Works in casual conversation, business, and writing.
What It Means
Go without is all about making do with less. It means you don't have something, but you keep moving forward anyway. Sometimes you choose to go without to save money. Other times, you simply have no choice because the store is closed. It feels a bit like being a minimalist by accident or on purpose.
How To Use It
You usually follow the phrase with the noun you are missing. For example, I had to go without coffee today. You can also use it alone if the context is clear. If someone asks if you want sugar, you might say, I'll go without. It is a flexible phrasal verb that works in almost any tense. Just remember it is about a lack of something.
When To Use It
Use it when you are talking about sacrifices or simple shortages. It is perfect for dieting, like going without carbs. Use it when you forget your umbrella and have to brave the rain. It works well in professional settings too when resources are tight. It sounds more natural than saying "I do not have."
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for things you never had in the first place. You wouldn't say you go without a third arm. It is for things that are usually part of your life. Also, avoid using it for serious life-and-death tragedies unless you want to sound very dramatic. It is usually for daily comforts or specific needs. Don't use it if you simply dislike something; use it when you lack it.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, there is a certain pride in being able to go without. It stems from a "stiff upper lip" or "can-do" attitude. People often use it to show they are tough or disciplined. During historical times like WWII, "doing without" was a common patriotic slogan. Today, it is more about health trends or budget-cutting.
Common Variations
You might hear do without, which is almost identical in meaning. However, go without often implies a longer period of time. Go without saying is a totally different idiom meaning something is obvious. Don't mix them up! Another variation is go short, but that is much less common nowadays.
Notas de uso
The phrase is highly versatile and fits into almost any social register. The only major 'gotcha' is ensuring you don't confuse it with the idiom `it goes without saying` (meaning 'obviously').
The 'Do Without' Twin
You can almost always swap `go without` for `do without`. `Do without` sounds slightly more active, like you are making a choice.
The Obvious Trap
Don't confuse `go without` with `it goes without saying`. The second one means something is so obvious it doesn't need to be mentioned.
The Minimalist Flex
In modern Western culture, saying you `go without` social media or a TV is often seen as a 'cool' lifestyle choice, not a sign of being poor.
Ejemplos
6We ran out of milk, so I had to go without for my cereal.
نفد الحليب منا، لذا اضطررت للاستغناء عنه في حبوب الإفطار.
The object (milk) is implied because it was mentioned earlier.
The team might have to go without extra software this quarter.
قد يضطر الفريق للاستغناء عن برامج إضافية هذا الربع.
Used here to describe a professional sacrifice.
Forgot my charger! Gonna have to go without my phone tonight.
نسيت الشاحن! سأضطر للاستغناء عن هاتفي الليلة.
Shortened 'going to' to 'gonna' makes it very informal.
If I go without coffee for two hours, I start seeing colors.
إذا استغنيت عن القهوة لمدة ساعتين، سأبدأ في رؤية الألوان.
Hyperbole used for comedic effect.
As a child, he often had to go without a warm coat in winter.
عندما كان طفلاً، غالباً ما كان يضطر للاستغناء عن معطف دافئ في الشتاء.
Used to evoke empathy and describe hardship.
I don't need a bag, thank you. I'll go without.
لا أحتاج حقيبة، شكراً لك. سأستغني عنها.
A polite way to decline an offered item.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence to show someone is staying healthy.
To lose weight, Sarah decided to ___ sugar in her tea.
To lose weight, you remove something, so 'go without' is the only logical choice.
Choose the correct form for a past event.
The hikers ___ water for six hours before finding a stream.
The sentence describes a past event, so we use the past tense of 'go', which is 'went'.
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Ayudas visuales
Formality of 'Go Without'
Talking to family about missing snacks.
I'll go without dessert.
Explaining a situation to a colleague.
We had to go without power.
Writing a report on resource scarcity.
The population must go without basic utilities.
When to use 'Go Without'
Dieting
Going without carbs.
Budgeting
Going without a vacation.
Accidents
Going without sleep.
Eco-friendly
Going without plastic.
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNot necessarily. It means you don't have it right now, whether you lost it, chose not to have it, or it's unavailable. For example, I went without sleep doesn't mean you lost your sleep in the street!
Yes, but it's less common. You might say I can't go without you, but usually we say I can't live without you. Using go without for people sounds a bit more functional/less romantic.
Absolutely. It is a neutral phrase. You can say, We will have to go without the consultant's input for this meeting.
Lack is a more formal verb. Go without focuses more on the experience of managing your life while something is missing.
Yes, if the context is clear. If someone asks if you want a straw, you can say No thanks, I'm going without.
Yes. Since go is an irregular verb, the past tense is went without. For example: Yesterday, I went without lunch.
Usually no. You use it for things that are standard or expected. You wouldn't say you go without a private jet if you never owned one.
It can, as it implies a shortage. However, it can be positive if it refers to self-discipline, like going without junk food.
You can ask, Can you go without your phone for a day? It's a very common way to challenge someone.
In daily English, people most often talk about going without sleep, coffee, or internet.
Frases relacionadas
do without
To manage or survive without something.
cut back on
To reduce the amount of something you use.
make do
To manage with whatever is available, even if it's not perfect.
abstain from
To formally or intentionally choose not to do or have something.
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