Phrase guide

above and beyond

adv · prep · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adv

Meaning 1

Doing more than is expected or required.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, not-comparable

Examples

  • Boy, they sure went above and beyond when they were planning this party!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

prep

Meaning 2

Further than; doing more than is expected or required.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • The hospital staff often go above and beyond what is required of them.
  • Putting in overtime with no pay is above and beyond the call of duty.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Shortened from the phrase above and beyond the call of duty, referring to heroic behavior during a military operation (“conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty”), traditionally used in citations of awards of a U.S. Medal of Honor.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 超出預期 /超出预期 (chāochū yùqī) — doing more than is expected
  • Finnish: ylittää velvollisuutensa — doing more than is expected
  • French: au-delà — doing more than is expected
  • German: darüber hinaus — doing more than is expected
  • Chinese Mandarin: 超出 (chāochū) — doing more than is expected
  • German: über etwas hinaus — doing more than is expected