go the distance
/ˌɡəʊ ðə ˈdɪstəns/NEUTRAL · C1
Meaning
to keep going until the end of something difficult
Examples
- 1Few people thought their marriage would go the distance, but they've just celebrated forty years.
- 2It's a tough course, and only half the students go the distance.
- 3Leo started three novels last year, but none of them went the distance; he gave up after chapter two.
- 4Do you think the new coffee shop will go the distance, or close within a year like the last one?
- 5The diploma took three years of evening classes, and only Priya went the distance.
Grammar
go is irregular: went, gone. Keep the distance singular. Often after will, can or manage to.
More idioms about sports
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →win hands downto beat everyone else very easilyplay ballto agree to help in the way someone wantsthe gloves are offpeople are ready to fight or argue without holding backthe ball is in your courtit is now your turn to act or decideget the ball rollingto make something start happeningthrow in the towelto stop trying because you know you cannot succeed
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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