go-to

1. not comparableDesired; desirable; of choice.

   Cheesecake is my go-to food whenever I feel down.

   3 more examples

   The USA Network, let's face it, isn't anyone's go-to channel.

   2003 July 7, The New Yorker, page 78

   For Donna Cona, who has played it since before the Times acquisition, Wordle has become her go-to thing each morning.

   2024 March 14, Saira Mueller, “Millions have played Wordle, but there’s more to the game than you’d expect”, in CNN

   When I was starting out, I was cast as nervous characters, because I was nervous in all my auditions. So the only roles I would get were ones where I was a nervous person. It’s kind of a default setting for me. Maybe I am the go-to nervous guy, who knows? But I’ve worked on it.

   2026 April 23, Rich Pelley, quoting Adam Scott, “Severance star Adam Scott: ‘There’s nothing wrong with being told that you resemble Tom Cruise’”, in The Guardian

   Synonyms: must-see, destination

2. not comparableReliable; likely to perform in difficult circumstances.

   Smith is your go-to person if you want lasting results.

   1 more example

   Trump resisted for many weeks. He called the Epstein story a “hoax,” his go-to move for maximally damaging accusations.

   2025 November 22, David Frum, “Marjorie Taylor Greene Came So Close to Getting the Joke”, in The Atlantic

   Synonyms: clutch

plural go-tos

1. A person or thing that is one’s usual choice.

   Going for a drink after work is usually my go-to.