Definition of the word go without

The phrase "go without" is a phrasal verb that has its origins in Middle English. Phrasal verbs are expressions made up of two or more words functioning as a single unit with a specific meaning. The word "go" in "go without" is an instance of the Old English word "ga", meaning "to move" or "to proceed". This word has been in English since the Anglo-Saxon period. The meaning of the phrase "go without" itself has evolved over time. During the Old English period, the phrase "gan wið" meant "to perform a deed in association with" or "to carry out a task jointly". Over the centuries, the meaning of "go without" shifted, reflecting societal changes. By Middle English times, the phrase "gon wi(th)" gained the meaning of "succeed in" or "execute". It was during this time that the expression "gon wi(th)" began to take on a specialised meaning of "to manage or cope without". This sense of the phrase continued into Early Modern English, where it was commonly used to express the idea that someone was managing to live or endure without something they would usually have, such as food or water. In Modern English, this usage is known as "go without". In summary, the phrase "go without" originated from the Old English word "ga", and its meaning has morphed over time, reflecting the evolution of English society and culture.