go the extra mile

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

  • Possibly from the gospel of Matthew ch.5: v.41
    "And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain."

Pronunciation[edit]

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈɡəʊ ði ˈɛk.stɹə ˈmaɪl/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈɡoʊ ði ˈɛk.stɹə ˈmaɪl/
  • (file)
  • (file)

Verb[edit]

go the extra mile (third-person singular simple present goes the extra mile, present participle going the extra mile, simple past went the extra mile, past participle gone the extra mile)

  1. (idiomatic) To make an extra effort; to do a particularly good job.
    • 1982 April 21, Steven R. Weisman, “Reagan Vows To Go ‘Extra Mile’ to Get Accord on Budget”, in New York Times, retrieved 29 July 2012:
      President Reagan pledged at a news conference today “to go the extra mile” to compromise with Democrats.
    • 2006 September 7, Tony Karon, “Why Iran Has the Upper Hand in the Nuclear Showdown”, in Time:
      The international community demands that Iran go the extra mile to satisfy concerns over its atomic energy program.
    • 2021 January 27, Paul Stephen, “Inspiration to the next generation”, in RAIL, number 923, page 48:
      The National Rail Awards has a proud history of recognising the extraordinary efforts of railwaymen and women who go 'the extra mile' in their day jobs to deliver wider benefits to both the industry and society.

Translations[edit]

See also[edit]