pass go

do not pass go

cliché A reference to the board game Monopoly, in which a player typically collects $200 when passing the space labeled "Go" unless they receive a card instructing them to go straight to the "Jail" space instead. "Go" is sometimes capitalized.
1. To arrive at some extreme punishment, especially jail time, without delay or any chance of improving the outcome. In a matter of hours, the board had ousted me from the company. Just like that—do not pass Go, do not collect $200. It just seems like we exist in a time where everyone wants people to go straight to jail as soon as an accusation is made—do not pass go, nothing.
2. To do something or go somewhere without delay, distraction, or deviation. Usually used as an imperative. Listen carefully. When you leave my office, you head straight home, OK? Don't pass go, just keep going until you're past your front door, got it? Before you do anything else, you absolutely must make sure there are no errors in data you entered in the system. Do not wait until tomorrow, do not pass Go—do not delay for any reason.
See also: go, not, pass
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

pass go

tv. to complete a difficult or dangerous task successfully. (From pass go and collect $200 in the game Monopoly.) You had better pass go with this job, or you’ve had it.
See also: go, pass
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • do not pass go
  • do not pass Go, do not collect $200
  • do not pass Go, do not collect two hundred dollars
  • 200
  • the British are coming
  • be a game of two halves
  • be careful what you wish for(, it might (just) come true)
  • compute
  • (something) does not compute
  • do not try this at home
References in periodicals archive
The new board will feature 30 city streets and landmarks with Marischal College, Union Terrace, Aberdeen City Hall and Aberdeen Airport among front runners to "Pass GO".
Dolphin is a splash hit with Monopoly
Two Shrewsbury charities are being sought to 'Pass GO' on the new official Monopoly game for the town.
Charities sought for new Monopoly board; GAME
IF you're itching to get your hands on Huddersfield's very own Monopoly, here's your chance to pass go.
Pre-order our special version of Monopoly
Monopoly, the all-time popular board game that ruined friendships and detoured real estate gaming around the globe, is about to pass go its way to conquer a new property: Broadway.
Board game Monopoly to break into Broadway
Roll the dice, pass go, and get ready to take your Monopoly token on a trip around the world.
Fans invited to vote for Dubai in Monopoly
DO not pass Go, do not collect PS200, go straight to...Holme House?
TEN YEARS AGO..
What also makes the game different, is that all players start-off with a different amount of money, and they all have to pay a different amount to buy the same thing and, then the ones with more money have to pay the one with less every time they pass go. The players who run short of money have to go to jail and, to get out they must promise not to spend so much and, then the richer players will give them some of their money - this rule ensures no one ever wins and they all get poorer; except for the commissioners, who get free meals, including bottles of PS120 wine with their lunch and a big fat pensions.
A Christmas game
For those who don't, go to jail, pass go and collect pounds 2 million.
Why such a fuss for Jade Goody? YourSay
Go directly to jail, do not pass go, a federal judge has told disgraced press baron Conrad Black.
No Bail For Conrad Black
But now Brummies can pass Go with pride as they celebrate their swanky new home on the latest Monopoly game board.
Brum's board gains; NEW MONOPOLY: Liverpool down in the dumps, but we scoop Leicester Square
THE possibility that Liverpool could be completely missed off the new Monopoly Here and Now game is absolutely ridiculous ("Liverpool may not pass go", Daily Post, May 7).
Letter: Get us noticed
To celebrate its launch, makers Winning Moves is offering anyone who has their birthday on that day the chance to pass Go and collect pounds 200 worth of games, including the Magpies' version of Monopoly.
Game to hit shelves
Fay Miles, of Graig-y-Rhacca, near Caerphilly, said: 'Basically, I will have to go to prison, do not pass Go'.
'I'll have to go to prison'
The 12 books selected by Booktrust include - Dangerous Lady by Martina Cole; Diaspora City (short stories) The London New Writing Anthology; Do Not Pass Go by Tim Moore; Fingersmith by Sarah Walters; High Fidelity by Nick Hornby; London Orbital by Iain Sinclair; London, The Novel by Edward Rutherfurd; Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve; My East End by Gilda O`Neill; Samuel Pepys, The Unequalled Self by Claire Tomalin; Some Kind of Black by Diran Adebayo; White Teeth by Zadie Smith.
'Get London Reading' campaign launched
Hey, Babbage: Do not pass Go. Do not collect--oh, never mind.
Undignified science: well-intentioned research often takes unseemly turns