ɡoʊ ði ˈɛkstrə maɪl
Travel
neutral
beginner
- Literally:
- to travel one mile further than required
What does "go the extra mile" mean?
to make more effort than is expected or required
Examples
- She always goes the extra mile for her clients.
- If you want to get promoted, you need to go the extra mile.
- The hotel staff went the extra mile to make our anniversary celebration special.
Origin
From the Bible, Matthew 5:41.
How to use it
Used to praise someone's dedication or to encourage greater effort.
Similar expressions
go above and beyond
bend over backwards
Opposites
do the bare minimum
cut corners
Related idioms
- hit the road
To leave or depart on a journey
- in the same boat
In the same difficult situation as someone else
- miss the boat
To miss an opportunity
- a long way to go
much more work or progress is needed before completion
- that ship has sailed
The opportunity has passed
- on the right track
making progress in the correct direction
Use it in a practice answer
Try "go the extra mile" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.