Definition of the word go at

The phrase "go at" has been a part of the English language for several centuries and its origins can be traced back to the Old English period. In Middle English, the expression was written as "gan at" and it originally meant "to begin to do" or "to initiate an action." The phrase "go at" emerged during the 16th century as a more explicit and dynamic statement, implying "to engage in a specific task or activity with focused effort and intensity." Throughout history, this idiom has evolved to describe a range of situations, from simple tasks like "going at" a project or job, to more physical and competitive scenarios such as "going at" a sport, an opponent, or a meal with tremendous appetite. Today, the usage of "go at" continues to expand, with variations in tone and meaning such as "going at it" and "going at someone" being commonly heard in communication, indicating different levels of intensity and form of activity.