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Does anyone have a suggestion for a gender-neutral alternative to the phrase "Who's the go-to man?" The go-to person feels stylistically awkward.

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What is a 'go to man'? – Barrie England Apr 30 '12 at 15:37
I'm assuming "go-to man" or "go-to guy". The person you go to when you have a requirement for a specific thing. – Brad Apr 30 '12 at 15:40
Yes, that's what I mean. – Helen Melichar Apr 30 '12 at 15:41
I never heard of "the go to man" before, but Google Books suggests it's often hyphenated and/or quotated, so it should probably be treated as "idiomatic slang". Perhaps "go-to guy" would do, given "guy" is often gender-neutral these days. In context, a male or female could reasonably say "I'm your huckleberry", but I've never heard any other related constructions using the word huckleberry. – FumbleFingers Apr 30 '12 at 15:45

5 Answers

up vote -1 down vote accepted

How about, "who is the point person"?

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Yes, that works. Thanks. – Helen Melichar Apr 30 '12 at 15:42
If it works, why don't you accept then answer then? ;) Thanks. – Brad Apr 30 '12 at 15:46
Sometimes the person who is the "point person" is actually not your "go-to guy." Your go-to guy is the one who will know the answer and get whatever you're needing done done quickly and well. Sometimes the point person is not that guy. – JLG Apr 30 '12 at 16:04
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@Brad, as good as your answer may have been, it's often best for the O.P. to wait a few hours – at least – before accepting an answer, just to see what other people might contribute or suggest. – J.R. Apr 30 '12 at 16:51
@helen melichar: My understanding is that the point person (actually a point man) is the one who "leads a charge" in the military. Is this the sense you want? – Tom Au Apr 30 '12 at 16:57
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up vote 3 down vote

What's wrong with "go-to person"?

I've heard "go-to guy" and "go-to girl". But that assumes you know which it is.

You could say "expert" or "authority" if that fits the context. Or "point of contact" might work.

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up vote 2 down vote

Man is gender-neutral here, go ahead and use it for whoever it is.

'One small step ...' (Ok, that was capitalized); 'Man doesn't live by bread alone.' ...

If you change the wording, no one will understand the idiom.

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up vote 1 down vote

Unfortunately, it is common business vernacular to refer to them as the guru of a particular subject.

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+1 for "unfortunately". – David M Apr 30 '12 at 15:41
up vote 1 down vote

"Go to man" can mean a few things. If you are looking for a 'better" way to say it that is not ambiguous, here are some examples that define it:

  • The most knowledgeable person about something
  • The person who gets (these/those) things done
  • The single point of contact who has authority to do something
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