A go-between is a person who carries messages, proposals, or information between two other people or groups who aren't communicating directly. Think of it like being the messenger in a game of telephone, except you're doing it on purpose to help people work something out.

Go-betweens appear in many situations. During a disagreement between two friends, another student might serve as a go-between, carrying suggestions back and forth until they're ready to talk face-to-face. In business, a go-between might help two companies negotiate a deal when they can't meet directly. Diplomats often act as go-betweens between countries working to resolve conflicts.

The word suggests a useful role: the go-between isn't taking sides but helping both parties understand each other better. However, being a go-between can get tricky. You have to communicate accurately without adding your own opinions or accidentally making things worse. A good go-between stays neutral and trustworthy, making sure both sides feel heard. Sometimes the go-between's real job is simply to keep communication flowing until the two sides are ready to talk directly.