go to town

Related to go to town: hit town, so much for, worse for wear

go to town

1. To act with great energy and/or enthusiasm. We had only planned to paint one room over the weekend, but we went to town and wound up painting the whole upstairs instead!
2. To do something to excess or in an uninhibited manner. The kids sure went to town on those cupcakes—there's none left.
See also: go, town
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

go to town

 
1. Lit. to travel into town or a city. I have to go to town today.
2. Fig. to work hard or very effectively. Look at all those ants working. They are really going to town. Come on, you guys. Let's go to town. We have to finish this job before noon.
See also: go, town
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

go to town

Also, go to town on.
1. Do something efficiently and energetically. For example, She really went to town, not only developing and printing the film but making both mat and frame . [Early 1900s]
2. Act without restraint, overindulge, as in He went to town on the hors d'oeuvres, finishing nearly all of them. [Early 1900s]
3. Be successful, as in After months of hard work, their business is really going to town. [Mid-1900s]
See also: go, town
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

go to town

If you go to town, you do something with a lot of enthusiasm or energy, trying to make it as good as possible and often spending a lot of money. You could really go to town and give her a night at the Sheraton at the Mother's Day rate of $120. I felt I could go to town a bit more in here as it's a room we only use on special occasions. Note: You can also say that you go to town on something to mean that you use a lot of it, do a lot of it, or spend a lot of money on it. French people also go to town on food for this special day. The author resists the temptation to go to town on the details of the murder.
See also: go, town
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

go to town

do something thoroughly or extravagantly, with a great deal of energy and enthusiasm. informal
1996 Dougie Brimson & Eddie Brimson Everywhere We Go: Behind the Matchday Madness When there is a major incident, the press still go to town and we are bombarded with graphic images of bloody faces.
See also: go, town
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

go to ˈtown (on/over something)

(informal) put a lot of money, energy, etc. into something: When they give parties they really go to town (= spend a lot of money, invite a lot of people, etc.). She decided to go to town and redecorate all the rooms in the house.
See also: go, town
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

go to town

in. to do something with gusto; to do something with great speed and energy. The main office is really going to town on collecting overdue payments.
See also: go, town
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • be running on fumes
  • fume
  • be running on empty
  • sporting blood
  • get (one's) teeth into (something)
  • get one’s teeth into something
  • get teeth into
  • get your teeth into
  • get your teeth into something
  • get/sink your teeth into something
References in periodicals archive
The majority of shops will now be selling Christmas decorations half price so you can go to town on buying baubles, tinsel and even candles and glassware.
You are cordially invited... New year is the one time of the year when you have the perfect excuse to throw the glitziest party ever so it's essential you get things just right. Clare Jobson sees 2008 in with a bang
Try to give them some time to go to town. During pre-camp, discuss ways to help staff recognize when they need a break.
Celebrations and preparations
It gives her and others independence to be able to go to town on their own if they wish.
TWEETS & POSTS
Fourth to sixth-year students are allowed to go to town while younger pupils have passes enabling them to go home.
Students in lunch strike
MY husband and I use the park and ride bus from War Memorial Park whenever we go to town and I would just like to thank whoever was responsible concerning the change from West Midlands Centro to the De Courcey buses which now run from the War Memorial Park.
Letter: YourSay - ToThePoint
ON the morning of January 20 as I set off to go to town I could not believe my eyes.
Letter: Poor state of gritting
I say 'we' because I can't go to town X if I know it won't be any good for my wife and kids.
Football: Jens future all down to Herr indoors
I WAS sitting having a drink with a few elderly gentlemen when one said: "When I was young, working on shifts, you could go to town during the week and it was empty.
Letter: Mailbag - Jobs and benefits
Our contact is in secret and I'm terrified he'll find out and really go to town on her.
Dear MIRIAM: SISTER'S AT RISK
The 38-page guide to go to town halls said September 11 showed that multiple incidents may have to be dealt with.
Terror guide brings fear