go west

Verb

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

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see go, west.
   • Go west until you hit the ocean, then turn left.
2. Synonym of set: to move toward the western horizon, to go down.
   • For hit was nyght, the sonne goth westc. 1400, The Laud Troy Book, l. 13365
   • I see the rocks set in the sky, and maybe the sun going west, and the trees getting dark.2006, W.H. Henderson, Augusta Locke, page 263

   Synonyms:

   set

3. (dated, figuratively) Synonym of die.
   • Women and mony wilsome wy,a. 1532, Glassinberry, poem preserved in Gray's Manuscipt
   • The Irish, and the Scottish Highlanders, always describe persons lately dead as having gone west.1833 Oct., Johnstone's Edinburgh Magazine, p. 89

   Synonyms:

   die

4. (dated, figuratively) To be lost, destroyed, or otherwise ruined.
   • The glare of a burning house shone red in the sky over the roof tops. 'Somebody's 'appy 'ome gone west', remarked one man.1916, Boyd Cable, Action Front, page 167
   • Their parcels... went persistently ‘west’.1919 Sept., Blackwood's Magazine, p. 368
5. (US) To move to the American West, particularly (historical) during the 19th century era.
   • It reminds me of the advice that Mr. Secretary Corwin gave to a young man that was applying for a clerkship. He said, ‘Young man, go West’.1856 May, Wisconsin Farmer, p. 209
   • Go West, young man! Buy a good, stout farming outfit... and then go out to the far West upon Government-land.1870 Aug. 20, O.C. Kerr, Punchinello, p. 323