1887. Paton, Down the Islands. Barbadian may therefore be said to mean a man with go and grit, energy and vim.
1889. Sportsman, 19 Jan. It all lent a certain zest and go to the proceedings.
1890. Pall Mall Gaz., 21 Feb., p. 7, c. 1. There was so much heartiness and go (so to speak) in the work that it reminded me of what I had read about peasant proprietors labouring in Switzerland and elsewhere under a Home Rule Government.
5. (colloquial).—A turn; an attempt; a chance. Cf., No go.
To have a go at, verb. phr. = to make essay of anything: as a man in a fight, a shot at billiards, and (specifically) a woman.
1836. C. Dickens, Pickwick Papers (about 1827), p. 377 (ed. 1857). Wot do you think o’ that for a go?
1877. Five Years’ Penal Servitude, ch. III., p. 221. I’ve twelve this go. I did a lagging of seven, and was at the Gib. three out of it.
1878. Jas. Payn, By Proxy, ch. iii. ‘I would practise that in the seclusion of my own apartments,’ observed Pennicuick; ‘and after a few goes at it, I’ll bet a guinea I’d shake the right stick out first.’
1888. Haggard, Mr. Meeson’s Will, ch. x. You have had seven goes and I have only had six.
6. (American).—A success. To make a go of it = to bring things to a satisfactory termination.