go to great lengths
Meaning(s)
1. try very hard to get or achieve something
Popularity
High
Professional
High
Social
How to Memorize
go to great lengths to ensure that something goes well
Analysis
The idiom ‘to go to great lengths’ means to put in a huge amount of effort or to try very hard to do or achieve something. If you ‘go to great lengths’ you go above and beyond what is expected. Similar in meaning to ‘go the extra mile’.
Social Examples (Basic)
- The car that I wanted was only available in Japan, so I had to go to great lengths to get my hands on it.
- My party was amazing you all went to great lengths to make sure I had a really special day.
Professional Examples (Basic)
- The teacher went to great lengths to make sure that all her students were properly prepared for the examinations.
- Katherine has been going to great lengths to ensure that the conference runs smoothly. Everyone really appreciates the effort she's putting in.