When the Going Gets Tough

This expression means that when faced with a difficult or dangerous situation, strong people take action in order to solve the problem.

"Tom has a positive attitude. He often says 'when the going gets tough, the tough gets going'"

Going Concern

This expression refers to a business or activity that is dynamic and successful.

"They opened a coffee shop that is a going concern today."

Go with the Flow

If you go with the flow, you follow the general tendency and go along with whatever happens.

"When my colleagues organise an office party, I just go with the flow when it comes to details."

Go Spare

If you go spare you lose your temper completely.

"Lea's dad would go spare if he found out how much she had spent in London!"

Go Up in Smoke

If a plan or project goes up in smoke, it is spoiled or ends before producing a result.

"When Amy and Tom separated, my mother's dream of a romantic wedding went up in smoke."

Go to Pieces

If you go to pieces, for example after a terrible shock, you are so upset or distressed that you cannot lead your life normally.

"Fanny nearly went to pieces when her son died in a plane crash."

Go to (great) Pains

A person who goes to great pains to do something makes a great effort to do it well.

"He went to great pains to explain the situation as clearly as possible."