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go at

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go at someone or something

to attack someone or something; to move or lunge toward someone or something. The dog went at the visitor and almost bit him. He went at the door and tried to break it down.

go at somebody

also go at it

to attack or fight with someone All of a sudden the boys went at each other with sticks. The neighbors went at it until someone called the police.

go at something

also go at it

to do or work on something energetically Stewart went at the math problems and solved them very quickly. She liked the work and went at it with a lot of enthusiasm.

go at

Attack, especially with energy; also, proceed vigorously. For example, The dog went at the postman's legs, or Tom went at the woodpile, chopping away. This idiom is sometimes put as go at it, as in When the audience had settled down, the lecturer went at it with renewed vigor. [First half of 1800s]

go at

v.

1. To undertake something or work on something, especially with enthusiasm or drive: She went at the job with a lot of energy. He went at that stain on the table with extra soap.

2. To attack something, especially with energy: My cat suddenly leaped up and went at the squirrel.