English idiom

go the extra mile

Register · Neutral CEFR B1

Post

Figurative meaning

To make more effort than is expected or required.

Why this phrase?

Effort beyond what is required is pictured as traveling one more mile than the expected distance.

Example

“Our staff always go the extra mile to help customers.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

bend over backwards

To try extremely hard to help or please someone.

pull out all the stops

to make the maximum possible effort, holding nothing back

give someone a run for their money

to compete nearly as well as a much stronger opponent, forcing them to work hard for victory

have a go

to make an attempt at doing something

the icing on the cake

An extra good thing that makes a good situation even better.

all in a day's work

a task treated as routine because it belongs to someone's normal duties

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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