subs. (colloquial).—The act of passing; an evasion; a deception. TO GIVE ONE THE GO-BY = to cut; to leave in the lurch. Cf., CUT (subs. sense 2, verb. sense 2).
1876. C. HINDLEY, ed. The Life and Adventures of a Cheap Jack, p. 214. When we came in contact with a travelling bookseller we could GIVE HIM THE ‘GO BY’ with our library!
1892. R. L. STEVENSON, Kidnapped, ch. ix. She GAVE US THE GO-BY in the fog—as I wish from the heart that ye had done yoursel’!
1892. Sala’s Journal, 25 June, p. 194. Now can you understand how it is possible, and, I think, expedient, TO GIVE politics THE GO-BY, so far as one conveniently can?
