Go the extra mile
/ɡəʊ ði ˈekstrə maɪl/neutralUK · US
What does “Go the extra mile” mean?
Go the extra mile means to do more than is expected or required.
The phrase is positive and slightly corporate. It appears constantly in customer-service copy, which has worn it thin.
In everyday speech it still works well as genuine praise.
When do people say it?
Common in praise, service language and job applications.
“The team went the extra mile to get the shipment out before the holiday.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: neutral. It is most at home in both everyday conversation and professional writing. Most common in UK and US.
Where does it come from?
Biblical in origin, from the Sermon on the Mount.
Origin confidence: Well documented
How do you say “Go the extra mile” in other languages?
Related idioms
- Cut corners, To skimp on quality to save time or money.
- Kill two birds with one stone, To solve two problems at once.
Last reviewed 2026-09-11