do not pass go

do not pass go

To arrive at some extreme punishment, especially jail time, without delay or any chance of improving the outcome. A reference to the board game Monopoly, in which a player typically collects $200 when passing the space labeled "Go" unless they receive a card instructing them to go straight to the "Jail" space instead. In a matter of hours, the board had ousted me from the company. Just like that—do not pass go, do not collect $200. It just seems like we exist in a time where everyone wants people to go straight to jail as soon as an accusation is made—do not pass go, nothing.See also: go, not, pass

pass go

tv. to complete a difficult or dangerous task successfully. (From pass go and collect $200 in the game Monopoly.) You had better pass go with this job, or you’ve had it. See also: go, pass