English Expression · Intermediate
go native
To adopt the lifestyle or outlook of local inhabitants, especially when dwelling in a colonial region
Pronunciation: say go native
Meaning
To adopt the lifestyle or outlook of local inhabitants, especially when dwelling in a colonial region.
Example
Yet while Gauguin went native, taking teenage mistresses, wearing local costumes and building his own wooden hut, his ultimate purpose was to impress the art world back home.
Yet while Gauguin went native, taking teenage mistresses, wearing local costumes and building his own wooden hut, his ultimate purpose was to impress the art world back home.
Practice tips
- Practice go native out loud — read the pronunciation guide above and repeat.
- Use it in your own sentence today; reuse beats rereading.
- Pay attention to context: this English expression is for intermediate-level learners.