go easy

go easy

1. To act with prudence or caution. Go easy lifting those boxes into the attic; you don't want to throw your back out again! Dad, go easy! You know what, let me get up on that ladder instead. Hey, go easy, Speed Racer—there's usually a cop just past this bend in the highway.
2. To treat or handle gently; to not be overly critical or negative. I know you're upset about the TV, but go easy on the kids. It was just an accident. I know you like to give honest feedback, but go easy, she spent all week writing that paper. Can you please go easy on Sarah? Yes, she screwed this report up, but her mom was just diagnosed with cancer a few days ago.
3. To use or take a small or appropriate amount of something. You really should go easy on the fried food. It can't be good for your health. Go easy! I don't like my food too salty. I know you're upset about your break up, but go easy on booze, man.
See also: easy, go
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

go easy

1. Act or proceed with caution, as in Go easy moving that bookcase, or Go easy on the subject of layoffs. [Late 1800s] Also see easy does it; take it easy.
2. go easy with or on ; go light on. Use sparingly, as in Go easy with the makeup; a little lipstick is enough, or Go light on the salt. [Colloquial; early 1900s]
See also: easy, go
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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References in classic literature ?
They will turn to you, don't fail them, and if it's hard to work alone, remember that I don't forget you, and that you'll be happier in doing that than writing splendid books or seeing all the world, for love is the only thing that we can carry with us when we go, and it makes the go easy."
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"He has to go easy, now, an' I ain't a-forcin' him none.
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For heaven's sake, go easy!" he cried, as he dragged him back.
View in context
EMMERDALE ITV, 7pm Jai is ready for some tough talk HE'S managed to stop Manpreet from leaving, convincing her to stay and support Rishi, but that doesn't mean Jai is going to go easy on the pair of them and he delivers some hard truths.
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Gers boss Steven Gerrard has vowed to go easy on Arfield over the next couple of weeks.
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Why not encourage decent shops to come to Loughborough and go easy on the huge rates our shops have to pay for the upkeep of our borough council who more than likely will pass the proposed applications.
Can't they stop all this?
"Do not be naive, ignorance is not a defence and the force and the courts will not go easy on you just because you didn't realise what you'd bought was illegal."
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The 52-year old posted a video of him urging the media to do a favour on him and go easy on his upcoming event.
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Meanwhile, new judge Shirley warned she will not go easy on the celebrity dancers - as they've had "weeks to prepare".
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On every religious occasion israel claims that it ill go easy on Palestinians allowing them to visit jerusalem and offering them facilities.
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Go easy on 'emhave say, one or two or three over the course of eight daysand have a healthy Hanukkah.
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I told them to go easy on that, especially on senior citizens and persons with disabilities,' said Recto.
Lifting of PWD, senior tax exemption opposed
Amir has been criticised by some International players who think he does not deserve to represent country again and some of them are his Pakistani team-mates but Shoaib has asked them to go easy on the youngster.
Amir to be handy in World T20: Shoaib Akhtar
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