Idiom · B2 · Neutral · Work and study
go the extra mile
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Meaning
To make more effort than people expect.
Examples
- Our teacher always goes the extra mile to help weaker students.
- The hotel staff went the extra mile to find my lost phone.
- If you want a promotion, you must be ready to go the extra mile.
How to use it
It is a positive idiom, often used for jobs, customer service, and teaching. Use it with the verb go in any tense. It works in speaking and in professional writing.
Common mistake
Not: She went the extra miles for the customer.
Say: She went the extra mile for the customer. (Mile stays singular.)
Last updated 20 October 2026