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go to town

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go to town

 

1. Lit. to travel into town or a city. I have to go to town today.

2. Fig. to work hard or very effectively. Look at all those ants working. They are really going to town. Come on, you guys. Let's go to town. We have to finish this job before noon.

See also: town

go to town (on something)

to do something eagerly and as completely as possible Angie and Phil have really gone to town on their wedding.

Usage notes: often used to describe an activity that involves spending a large amount of money

See also: town

go to town

Also, go to town on.

1. Do something efficiently and energetically. For example, She really went to town, not only developing and printing the film but making both mat and frame . [Early 1900s]

2. Act without restraint, overindulge, as in He went to town on the hors d'oeuvres, finishing nearly all of them. [Early 1900s]

3. Be successful, as in After months of hard work, their business is really going to town. [Mid-1900s]

See also: town

go to town

in. to do something with gusto; to do something with great speed and energy. The main office is really going to town on collecting overdue payments.

See also: town