go without

not have something you usually have or need

B2

What does "go without sth" mean?

To go without something means to live or manage without it, usually because it isn't available or you can't afford it. The phrase carries a sense of hardship or sacrifice — you're not choosing to avoid something because you dislike it, but because you have no option or you're making a deliberate sacrifice. It's commonly used to describe situations where someone lacks a basic necessity like food, sleep, or heating. Unlike simply not having something, 'go without' implies that the absence is felt — it has an impact on the person. It can describe both unwilling deprivation and conscious self-denial, for example when someone sacrifices small comforts to reach a financial goal.

Examples

How to use it

go without + noun

The most common pattern — the object of deprivation follows 'without' directly.

The hikers went without clean water for three days before reaching the village.

have to / be forced to + go without + noun

Modal constructions with 'have to' or 'be forced to' are especially common and reinforce the idea that the deprivation was unwilling.

Many families had to go without heating during the coldest months of the year.

go without + it / them

Pronouns replace the noun when the thing being lacked is already clear from context.

The new office supplies never arrived, so the team had to go without them for the whole project.

go without (no object)

When the thing being lacked is obvious from the conversation, 'go without' can be used alone with no object.

The shop had run out of essentials, so we just went without.

go without + noun + to + infinitive (purpose)

This pattern shows that someone is voluntarily sacrificing something in order to achieve a goal.

He went without luxuries for two years to pay off his student loan.

Common Collocations

go without foodgo without sleepgo without heatinggo without electricitygo without paygo without basic necessities

Common Mistakes

Trying to separate the phrasal verb

Unlike some phrasal verbs, 'go without' cannot be separated. The object must always come after 'without', never between 'go' and 'without'.

✗ She had to go it without during the strike.
✓ She had to go without it during the strike.
Confusing 'go without' with 'do without'

'Do without' focuses on successfully managing in the absence of something, while 'go without' emphasises the experience of lacking or being deprived of it. Using 'go without' in a context where someone easily copes sounds slightly off — it implies more of a struggle or sacrifice.

✗ I never liked fancy coffee anyway, so I'm happily going without it.
✓ I never liked fancy coffee anyway, so I'm happily doing without it.
Confusing with 'it goes without saying'

'It goes without saying' is a completely separate fixed expression meaning something is so obvious it doesn't need to be stated. It has nothing to do with deprivation or lacking something, so these two uses should not be mixed up.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral and works in both spoken and written English. It is often used with 'had to' to show that someone had no choice, and it can also be used without an object when the meaning is clear from context (e.g. 'We just had to go without').

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'go without' describe a choice, or does it only mean you have no option?

It can describe both. 'Go without' is often used when someone has no choice, but it also works when someone voluntarily sacrifices something — for example, going without a holiday to save money. The key is that the absence has a real impact; it's not just a mild preference.

Is it natural to say 'I am going without sleep' in the present continuous?

It sounds a little unnatural in most situations. The present simple ('I often go without sleep') or past forms ('I went without sleep for days') are much more common. The present continuous can work if you're describing something deliberately happening right now, but it's generally better avoided.

Can 'go without' be used in the passive, like 'sleep was gone without'?

No — 'go without' cannot be made passive. Because the missing thing is the object of 'without' rather than a direct object of the verb, you can't restructure it into a passive sentence. Stick to active constructions.

What kinds of things can typically follow 'go without'?

The most natural objects are basic needs and everyday essentials — food, water, sleep, heating, electricity, pay, or medical care. It can also be used with broader comforts or luxuries when someone is making a sacrifice, such as going without holidays or new clothes. Abstract objects like 'support' or 'recognition' are also possible when the context involves hardship.

Does 'go without' sound more British or is it used everywhere?

It's widely understood in all varieties of English, though it appears slightly more often in British English contexts. Speakers of American or Australian English use it too, so there's no need to avoid it in international communication.

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