go the distance

phrase

variants or less commonly last the distance

: to complete a course of action

Examples of go the distance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Inspired by underdog Chuck Wepner going the distance against Muhammad Ali, Stallone wrote Rocky in just a few days, and the script soon drew massive offers, with the intention of casting a big name like Robert Redford or Burt Reynolds. — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Nov. 2026

But experts are hopeful that at least some of California’s first sea turtles will go the distance — and possibly return. — Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

Both fighters are primarily strikers, and the last fight went the distance. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

With a beloved character in Sam and some brand-new faces entering the scene, the show is steady, intriguing and will likely go the distance. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for go the distance

• coexistence
• nonexistence
• assistance
• consistence
• desistance
• existence
• insistence
• persistence
• resistance
• subsistence
• magnetoresistance