Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[margagn]

Hello all,

I heard the expression "There we go" all the time and it seems to be used in multiple circumstances. Could someone please tell me what is the exact meaning of this expression and when to use it?

Thank you,
Martin

[MauraS]

I can only think of one use of the expression "there we go".

The first example that comes to me is a mother getting her child dressed. When everything is done and ready, she says "There we go." This means that everything is done, the child is ready.

Or another example

A friend comes and when they are leaving you give them some leftover dinner in a box. As you finish packing the lunch, you give it to the friend and say "There we go." The same idea as above, everything is ready to go. This can be said when you are giving something to someone that is ready.

Can you give me some more examples if you you think you heard a diferent meaning? We also have the expression "Here we go" which is a bit different.

I hope this helps!

I do a podcast for learning English at www.culips.com. Could we use this question in one of our episodes?

[margagn]

Thank you for the great definition!

I must be confusing "There" and "Here"... When people speak fast, I can barely hear the difference.

What's the meaning of "Here we go"?

[tyreless]

[MauraS]

I would agree that the expressions can be the same and can be used interchangeably.

But I would use "here we go" at the beginning of something exciting, for example as a rollercoaster we are on started to move or at the beginning of a trip.

At this time saying "there we go" sounds strange to me.