Meaning 

“From the get-go” = “from the very beginning.”

It’s labeled “U.S.” and is informal in major dictionaries, so it suits conversation, blogs, and commentary more than legal briefs or academic prose.  Clarify that while primarily American, it is understood in other English-speaking regions, but is less common outside the U.S.

Examples

• “I knew it was a bad deal from the get-go.” [
• “They were aligned from the get-go.”

Origin: where it came from (and when it shows up)

1) Roots in U.S. Black vernacular (and an early spelling)

Multiple references trace the expression to African American/Black English vernacular, with an early common variant spelling “from the git-go.”

2) Early print sightings: 1959–1966 (why dates differ)

You’ll see slightly different “firsts” depending on what a source counts as evidence:

• Merriam-Webster lists the first known use of get-go as 1959 (for the noun).
• Etymonline gives a concrete early citation in 1960 (in The Afro-American, Baltimore) using “from the get-go.”
• A Merriam-Webster–edited language column (republished by Deseret News) cites the earliest record as 1966, pointing to a story by Toni Cade Bambara (and notes earlier speech usage can’t be pinned down).
• The OED summarizes the noun's earliest known use as occurring in the 1960s, formed by compounding, and notes U.S. colloquial usage (with pronunciation variants including “git-go”).

Bottom line: the phrase is attested by the early 1960s at the latest, and primary references agree it’s relatively modern compared with older “beginning” idioms.

Why “get-go” sounds like “start” (probable formation)

Most etymological explanations point to get + go, likely influenced by the everyday verb phrase “get going” (start moving/begin).
Etymonline also suggests it may connect to the idea of receiving the “go” signal—the moment something begins.

And it may have gained traction because it echoes an older idiom, “from the word go,” which already meant “from the start.”

Usage notes (so you don’t step on rakes)

It’s “get-go,” not “gecko.”

That “from the gecko” version is a common mishearing, but the idiom is get-go.

Hyphenation is common

Many style guides and dictionaries start with a hyphen as the standard form.

Tone

Expect a casual, conversational feel—great for a blog line, less ideal for formal policy language.

“‘From the get-go’ is informal American shorthand for ‘from the very beginning’—no qualifiers, no rewrites.”

“Despite sounding timeless, ‘get-go’ is modern: it’s documented in print by the early 1960s and tied to African American vernacular usage.”

Takeaway 

• Meaning: from the very beginning
• Register: U.S., informal
• Origin notes: linked to African-American vernacular; early “git-go” variant
• Early evidence: at least early 1960s in print (with some sources noting 1959/1960 vs 1966 depending on criteria)

In everyday conversation, “from the get-go” is a casual, punchy way to say “from the very beginning.” It usually indicates that something was true immediately, with no subsequent change. ,

Below are the most common ways people use it in speech.

1) The “first impression” use (most common)

People use it to indicate they knew or felt something immediately.

Natural conversation lines

• “I knew it was going to be a mess from the get-go.”
• “I didn’t trust him from the get-go.”
• “We clicked from the get-go.”

Mini-dialogue

A: “When did you realize the deal was risky?”
B: “Honestly?  From the get-go, the numbers never penciled.”

2) The “since day one” use (for ongoing situations)

It’s used to emphasize that a condition or behavior existed from the start and stayed that way.

Examples

• “The plan was to scale fast from the get-go.”
• “They were involved in the project from the get-go.” [
• “Her tenure was stressful from the get-go.”

3) The “set the tone” use (how something started)

Speakers use it to summarize how a meeting, relationship, trip, or project began—especially if the beginning explains the outcome.

Examples

• “The rollout was chaotic from the get-go, so we were always playing catch-up.”
• “We had clear roles from the get-go, and it made everything smoother.”

4) Common phrasing patterns you’ll hear

A) “Right from the get-go.”

Adding right intensifies it—meaning immediately, no delay.

• “I liked her right from the get-go.”

B) “From the get-go, …” (fronted for emphasis)

Putting it at the start of the sentence makes it feel more emphatic and story-like.

• “From the get-go, there was no question about his ability.”

C) “Didn’t … from the get-go.”

A typical negative framing: didn’t understand, didn’t like, didn’t work, etc.

• “I didn’t understand the rules from the get-go.”

5) Where it fits (and where it can sound off)

Best fit: casual speech & informal writing

Most dictionaries label it as informal and familiar in the U.S., so it’s suitable for conversation, blogs, and casual writing, helping readers feel confident in its appropriate use.

Might sound too casual: formal reports or legal/academic writing

Because it’s marked informal, in formal settings, people often choose “from the outset” or “from the beginning.”

6) Quick substitutes (same meaning, different vibe)

If you want the same idea but tweak the tone:

• Neutral/formal: “from the beginning,” “from the outset.”
• Sporty/idiomatic: “right out of the gate” (similar vibe, more metaphor)

7) Tiny usage tips (so it sounds natural)

• Stress “get-go” when speaking: “…from the GET-go.” (It helps the phrase land.)
• Hyphens are common in writing: “get-go.”
• Don’t use “from the gecko”—that’s a mishearing/joke variant.