great lengths

Meaning

1. 1phraseidiom

   A lot of effort and trouble taken to achieve something, often more than seems normal.

   Grammar: Used in fixed phrases like 'go to great lengths' or 'take great lengths'; it is not used on its own.

   Patterns

   • go to great lengths to do something
   • take great lengths to do something
   • go to great lengths for someone

   She went to great lengths to make sure the party was perfect.

   The company went to great lengths to protect its customers' data.

   He went to great lengths for his children, even working two jobs.

Common combinations

go to great lengths

They went to great lengths to find the missing dog.

go to great lengths to do something

She went to great lengths to learn the language before moving abroad.

go to great lengths for someone

He would go to great lengths for his friends.

Synonyms and how they differ

make every effort

Make every effort is more neutral and simply means trying hard; go to great lengths often suggests doing something extreme or unusual.

bend over backwards

Bend over backwards is informal and emphasizes being very helpful or accommodating; go to great lengths focuses on the amount of effort, not necessarily on helping.

Opposites

Word family

length noun

The measurement of something from end to end.

lengthy adjective

Very long, often too long.

Commonly confused: great lengths or long?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “great lengths”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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