“To go the distance” means to complete a task or responsibility. It can also be used as a sports metaphor. The origin is unclear, but it is easy for beginners to understand. Other similar phrases include “going the extra mile” and “going through with.” It can also describe someone who excels at something.
The English idiom “to go the distance” means to follow something to its end. This phrase is associated with the idea of someone carrying out a responsibility, or seeing a project or other plan to be completed. It can also be used as a sports metaphor, or in other similar contexts, where it has a generally positive and even motivational meaning. The extraordinarily positive tone of this idiom makes it appear in many motivational materials or elsewhere, in written English as well as spoken English.
The origin of the phrase, “go far”, is not entirely clear. This idiom is quite literal, where the literal meaning of “going far” would be to travel a required distance. The abstraction of this idea in fulfilling responsibilities is simple, making this an easy idiom for English beginners to understand and use.
In addition to the phrase “to go the distance,” there are other common English phrases based on the same idea. For example, someone might say that someone else “goes the extra mile.” Here, the phrase means that someone is going beyond his usual responsibilities. This phrase is commonly used to describe someone’s job performance. “Giving 110%” would be another equivalent example.
English speakers might also refer to someone who is “going through with” something. This phrase refers to putting one’s total power or ability into something or fully investing in it. The alternate phrase “go all in” is also used. Other English phrases based on travel or transportation are plentiful. A common one is the phrase “in it for the long haul,” meaning someone has shown agreement to see a project or plan, just as if they’re willing to “go the distance.”
In some cases, English speakers simply use the phrase “go the distance” not to refer to responsibilities or obligations, but to describe someone who excels at something. This is a common way to describe, for example, a person who puts all their effort into a sport or activity. Here, “going far” simply means exerting total effort. Other similar phrases include “fighting the good fight” or “carrying on” a business.
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