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Meaning & use

go easy

phrase·Everydayinformal

Last updated

UK/ˌɡəʊ ˈiːzi/
US/ˌɡoʊ ˈiːzi/

Meanings

  1. phraseidiominformal

    To treat someone gently or less severely than you might.

    Grammar: Usually followed by on and a person: go easy on him.

    Patterns

    • go easy on someone

    Go easy on your brother; he's had a bad day.

    The coach went easy on the new players at first.

    The judge went easy on him because it was his first offense.

  2. phraseidiominformal

    To use or do something in moderate amounts, without going too far.

    Grammar: Followed by on and a thing: go easy on the salt.

    Patterns

    • go easy on something

    Go easy on the chili; it's very hot.

    I'm trying to go easy on sugar this month.

    Go easy on the paint so it doesn't drip.

  3. phraseidiominformal

    To relax and avoid working or pushing yourself too hard.

    Grammar: Used without an object, often as advice: go easy today.

    Patterns

    • go easy

    You've been ill, so go easy this week.

    I'll go easy at the gym after my injury.

    Go easy; there's no rush.

Word forms

third person singulargoes easy
past tensewent easy
past participlegone easy
-ing formgoing easy

Common combinations

go easy on someone
Please go easy on the interns.
go easy on the drink
He decided to go easy on the drink at the party.
go easy on yourself
Go easy on yourself after such a tough week.
go easy on the gas
Go easy on the gas on this icy road.

Synonyms and how they differ

take it easy
Take it easy focuses on resting or staying calm, while go easy on usually involves another person or amount.
be lenient
Be lenient is formal and about punishment or rules, while go easy on is casual and broader.
hold back
Hold back means to restrain yourself, while go easy on suggests being kind or moderate.
ease up
Ease up means to reduce effort or pressure over time, while go easy can be a request to begin gently.

Opposites

be hard onlay into

Word family

easy adjective
not difficult, or relaxed
easily adverb
without difficulty
easygoing adjective
relaxed and not easily upset
ease verb
to make or become less severe

Commonly confused: go easy or go easily?

go easy vs go easily

Go easily would mean something proceeds without trouble, while go easy is a request for gentleness.

Practice

The teacher asked us to ___ on Maya because she was nervous about her first presentation.

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