Pronunciation: [wˈɛnt at] (IPA) 
The spelling of the phrase "went at" can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription. "Went" is pronounced as /wɛnt/, with the "e" sounding like "eh". "At" is pronounced as /æt/, with the "a" sounding like "ah". When saying "went at" together, the "t" at the end of "went" and the "a" at the beginning of "at" combine to create a slight pause in between the words. Thus, the spelling accurately reflects the pronunciation of this phrase.
"Went at" is a phrasal verb typically used to describe someone's action or behavior in a situation that involves exerting effort, energy, or force to accomplish a task or confront a challenge. It implies making a determined or vigorous attempt at doing something.
When someone "went at" a task or project, it suggests that they approached it with a sense of urgency, motivation, or enthusiasm. It indicates being actively engaged in or aggressively pursuing a particular endeavor. This phrase often implies that the person involved was committed, persistent, or highly focused on achieving their objective.
Additionally, "went at" can also connote a more confrontational or aggressive stance. It may describe someone attacking or aggressively criticizing a person, idea, or situation. In this context, it signifies a forceful verbal or physical action aimed at challenging, opposing, or overcoming an opponent, misconception, or obstacle.
Overall, "went at" denotes an action that involves expending energy, making an effort, or persistently engaging in a task or challenge, either actively or aggressively. It conveys the idea of approaching something with determination, intent, and vigor, indicating an active involvement, pursuit, or confrontation.
The phrase "went at" does not have a specific etymology because it is a combination of two separate words: "went" and "at". Here are the individual etymologies of these words:
1. "Went": The word "went" is the past tense of the verb "go". It can be traced back to the Old English word "wendan" or "wentan" which means "to proceed on foot". Over time, this word evolved to its current form, "went", in Middle English.
2. "At": The word "at" is a preposition that indicates location or direction. It comes from the Old English preposition "æt" which has similar meanings. Its origins can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "at" or "atas", which is related to the Latin "ad" (to, towards).
