Antonyms for the phrase "goes after" could be "precedes," "leads," or "comes before." When referring to order or sequence, these words indicate that something happens before or ahead of another event or action. For instance, in a race, the winner might "lead" the pack or "come before" the other runners. Similarly, in a line or queue, someone who "precedes" another person is ahead of them in line. These antonyms also work in non-sequential contexts, such as a job interview where a candidate "leads" the conversation or a party where one guest "comes before" another in the host's introductions.