Go public meaning in English

Learn how to use Go public correctly with Gymglish.
Test and improve your English. Start your free trial today.

TEST YOUR ENGLISH Free trial and no commitment to buy
4,7 on App Store, Play Store and Trustpilot More than 8 million learners worldwide

Definition

to go public: to place, list company shares on the stock market verb
to be publicly listed: to be, to have shares on the stock exchange verb
This company's stock is publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Examples

  • "went public in September, and lists its shares on the New York Stock Exchange."
  • "went public in 1997, and lists its shares on the New York Stock Exchange."
Exercise 1
Philip says that Delavigne has "nowhere to go but up". Which of the following idioms expresses the same idea as Philip's phrase?

Philip says that Delavigne has "nowhere to go but up". Which of the following idioms expresses the same idea as Philip's phrase?
If a business "goes public", it starts to offer stocks or shares for sale to the general public. This is unrelated to the expression "the sky is the limit".
This is the best choice here. These two idioms ("the sky is the limit" and "nowhere to go but up") both express the same idea: the potential for positive development is very great.
To "lose ground" is often used as a business idiom. However, it expresses the idea that one company is behind another, or several others, and is progressively falling behind. This might indicate that the company needs to "make up" or "catch up" distance or sales etc. This is not what Philip is saying.
An airplane which is about to crash is said to be taking a "nosedive". Figuratively, if we talk about profits or stocks taking a "nosedive", it means that they are about to crash or fall suddenly.
Exercise 2
Susie says, 'Shmike's stock dropped 44% despite a booming stock market.'
Another way to say this is: Shmike's stock despite stock market.
Susie says, 'Shmike's stock dropped 44% despite a booming stock market.'
Another way to say this is: Shmike's stock fell 1 despite a bullish 2 stock market.
1 fell: When Susie says that Shmike's stock 'dropped', she means that Shmike's stock has 'lost value', or 'fell' by 44%. 'Fell' is the simple past tense form of the verb 'to fall'. It means 'to descend', 'to go down' or 'to decrease' in this context, and shares a similar meaning with the verb 'to drop'.
1 rose: 'Rose' is the simple past tense form of the verb 'to rise', which means 'to increase' or 'ascend'. This is actually the opposite of what Susie is expressing in this dialogue. She is not saying that the value of Shmike's stock 'increased' in value, but rather that it decreased in value.
1 split: Th Companies 'split' their stock when they believe the price of their stock exceeds the amount investors are willing to pay. By reducing the price of the stock, companies try to make their stock more affordable to these investors. 'To split a stock' is a financial idiom with very specific connotations: this is not what Susie is indicating when she says that Shmike's stock 'dropped'.
1 went public: This is not the best choice. If a company's stock 'goes public', their shares are sold on the open market (as opposed to being controlled exclusively by private investors and shareholders). This is not what Susie is indicating when she says that Shmike's stock 'dropped'.
2 a bullish: A 'bullish' or 'bull' market is the term used to describe a strong, growing stock market or economy. A 'booming' stock market is 'growing' or 'rising', and expresses a meaning very similar to the term 'bullish'. In another context, 'bullish' can express both a 'bull-like' physique, or a positive or optimistic attitude, as in the sentence 'Bruno is bullish on the business opportunities in Asia'. A 'bull' is the adult male cow.
2 a combustible: A 'booming' market is not a 'combustible' market.
2 a bearish: 'Bearish' is the term used to describe a 'weak' or 'struggling' stock market or economy. A 'booming' stock market is growing. 'Bearish' and 'booming' actually express opposite meanings. A bear is a type of omnivorous mammal of the family Ursidae.
2 an unstable: An 'unstable market' is one which is fluctuating or unstable. When Susie refers to a 'booming' stock market, she is not referring to an 'up and down' or 'unstable' market.

Still unsure of the best way to use 'Go public'? Improve your English thanks to our online English lessons. We offer a free test as well as a free level assessment!

What our users say:

Pleasure

         

I enjoy doing my online English lessons. Only ten minutes daily are enough...Thank you!

Innovative

         

I love your innovative method which allows me to learn a new language and have fun at the same time!

Unique

         

Your method is unique! Your courses have helped me to progress and gain confidence during my travels.

Progress

         

Gymglish has allowed me to improve my English. A daily routine I wouldn't miss for anything in the world!

More testimonials.

Test your English with Gymglish today and get a free level assessment

Absolutely free - no strings attached.