go-easyadj.
/ˌɡəʊˈiːzi/, U.S. /ˌɡoʊˈizi/ attributive.
1. Easy-going (in various senses); relaxed, casual, leisurely.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > restrained or moderate behaviour > behave with moderation or restraint [verb (intransitive)]
to keep (also observe) measure(s) (also a measure)a1500
to use a mean1607
go-easy1860
to pull one's punches1931
to go slow1962
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > caution > be cautious or take care [verb (intransitive)] > proceed with caution
to make it wisec1405
to feel (out) one's waya1450
to beat the bush1526
to beat about the bush1572
callc1650
to call canny1814
go-easy1860
to plough around1888
pussyfoot1902
to play it by ear1922
1845 W. Carleton (title) Parra Sastha; or, the history of Paddy Go-easy and his wife Nancy.]
1860 Brit. Q. Rev. Jan. 135 The go-easy manner of looking at such questions which the Unitarian accounts a sign of spiritual health, is to the Trinitarian the sign of disease.
1877 Rep. Vermont Dairym. Assoc. VIII. 22 The many serious drawbacks which the ‘go easy’ dairymen of Vermont are compelled to encounter.
1936 R. C. K. Ensor England, 1870–1914 i. 12 The purchase system kept officering as an occupation for gentlemen, and not a trade for professional men. If it became the latter, it might menace our go-easy oligarchic liberties.
1956 M. W. Smith Land of Swift-running Horses 70 In these go-easy days when, although a month of each commoner's labour belongs to the ruler of his state, a commoner is seldom called upon to perform it.
2006 Chicago Daily Herald (Nexis) 13 Aug. 8 Whether you are an active senior..or a go-easy type, there is a senior adventure tour in Africa for you.
2. Characterized by taking a lenient, tolerant, or gentle approach to something.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of strictness > [adjective] > lenient
mildeOE
eði modesa1325
easyc1325
sweet1607
lenitive1620
lenient1787
go-easy1901
1901 Times 27 Dec. 11/2 The lithographic colour printing trade appears to be one of the few in the country which have come to recognize the dangerous tendencies of the ‘go easy’ policy.
1960 W. Ansel Hitler confronts Eng. iv. 71 Now suddenly the author of Armageddon belies his own battle cries with intimation of virtue in the devil and hints of a go-easy policy.
2009 Gazette (Montreal) (Nexis) 22 May a4 The borough's go-easy approach thus far on cigarette butts can be seen in the total of only eight tickets handed out for the offence since 2007.
3. Originally Australian. With reference to industrial action: = go-slow adj. 2. Now disused.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > working > labour relations > [adjective] > type of protest
ca'canny1896
go-slow1902
go-easy1916
slowdown1919
work-to-rule1920
1916 Daily News (Perth, Austral.) 15 Nov. 8/6 What would be the effect of a slow down or go easy strike at the mine?
1917 Manch. Guardian 10 July 8/5 The Manchester employees..resorted to a ‘go-easy’ strike, and finally decided to cease work altogether.
1940 S. O'Casey Star turns Red i. 8 The workers..with their lightning strikes, stay-in strikes, stay-out strikes, sit-down strikes, and go-easy strikes.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2015; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1860