Phrase guide

go the extra mile

verb · 1 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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  • UK: /ˈɡəʊ ði ˈɛk.stɹə ˈmaɪl/
  • US: /ˈɡoʊ ði ˈɛk.stɹə ˈmaɪl/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To make an extra effort; to do a particularly good job.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

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

Across languages

Translations

17 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 付出比要求更多的努力 (fùchū bǐ yāoqiú gèng duō de nǔlì) — make an extra effort
  • Czech: udělat něco navíc — make an extra effort
  • Finnish: kulkea toinenkin virsta — make an extra effort
  • French: faire un effort particulier — make an extra effort
  • French: se mettere en quatte — make an extra effort
  • French: se dépasser — make an extra effort
  • French: se surpasser — make an extra effort
  • French: faire plus que le nécessaire — make an extra effort
  • Italian: fare di tutto — make an extra effort
  • Italian: fare uno sforzo extra — make an extra effort
  • Italian: fare uno sforzo in più — make an extra effort
  • Italian: fare uno sforzo speciale — make an extra effort
  • Italian: fare il possibile — make an extra effort
  • Portuguese: fazer um esforço extra — make an extra effort
  • Portuguese: ir a milha extra — make an extra effort
  • Spanish: hacer un esfuerzo extra — make an extra effort
  • Spanish: hacer un esfuerzo adicional — make an extra effort