go at it

Verb

go at it (third-person singular simple present goes at it, present participle going at it, simple past went at it, past participle gone at it)

1. As go at + it; spoken emphasis typically on 'go'.
   • I can't figure out this problem. I've been going at it [going at the problem] for hours now.
2. (informal) To engage in some activity, especially vigorously or enthusiastically.
   • We were all going at it like crazy, trying to get the job finished before the deadline.
3. (intransitive, slang) To fight or argue.
   • Joe accidentally spilled his drink on Eric, Eric got up and insulted his mother, and before you know it, they were going at it.
   • I sought Jem and found him in his room, on the bed deep in thought. “Have they been at it?” I asked.
     “Sort of. She won’t let him alone about Tom Robinson. She almost said Atticus was disgracin‘ the family. Scout… I’m scared.”1960 July 11, Harper Lee, chapter 15, in To Kill a Mockingbird, Philadelphia, Pa.; New York, N.Y.: J[oshua] B[allinger] Lippincott Company, →OCLC

   Synonyms:

   get into it, mix it up, throw down, let someone have it

4. (euphemistic, intransitive, slang) To have sex.
   • I walked into my dorm room and caught my roommate and his girlfriend going at it.

   Synonyms:

   do it, get it on, approach, cohabit, common, company, copulate, couple, engage in sex, exchange flesh