going

Universal Words noun, adjective noun 1 [sing.] (formal) an act of leaving a place: We were all sad at her going. 2 [U] (used with an adjective) the speed with which sb does sth; how difficult it is to do sth: Walking four miles in an hour is pretty good going for me. * She had her own company by 25-not bad going! * It was hard going getting up at five every morning. * Even with everyone working overtime, it's still pretty slow going. 3 [U] the condition of the ground, especially in horse racing: The going is good to firm. * The path was rough going, even in daylight. seealsoOUTGOINGS IDIOMS when the going gets tough (the tough get going) (saying) when conditions or progress become difficult (strong and determined people work even harder to succeed) while the going is good (BrE) (AmE while the getting is good) before a situation changes and it is no longer possible to do sth: Don't you think we should quit while the going is good? moreatCOMING, HEAVY adjective (-going) (in compounds) going regularly to the place or event mentioned: the theatre-going public seealsoOCEAN-GOING, ONGOING, OUTGOING IDIOMS a going concern a business or an activity that is making a profit and is expected to continue to do well: He sold the cafe as a going concern. the going rate (for sth) the usual amount of money paid for goods or services at a particular time: They pay slightly more than the going rate for freelance work.