go the distance

Idioms  

1. Carry through a course of action to completion. For example, He said he's willing to go the distance with this project. This expression originated in boxing, where it means “to last for all the rounds that have been scheduled.” In baseball the same term means “to pitch an entire game.” For a synonym, see all the way, def. 1.

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Example Sentences

"The first two rounds I thought it would go the distance. Then in the fifth round when I caught with him the uppercut, I thought 'did I really do that?'"

From BBC

Throw in the love of a good woman, an old-school workout program, and a belief in miracles, and these two will manage to go the distance.

From Los Angeles Times

Distrust is the topmost requirement to go the distance in this game, after all.

From Salon

Others of his kind fail to go the distance because of a detail misspoken or a slip of the mask.

From Salon

Yet this crowded race, which is overstuffed with well-funded candidates equipped to go the distance, might be won with as little as 15% of the primary electorate.

From Salon

Related Words

• polish off
• terminate