ENGLISH
REFERENCE

make headway

idiom
Meaning

To progress; to move forward.


Examples
SIMPLE

We are finally making headway on this project.

CONTEXTUAL

The team worked all weekend and finally made headway on the difficult construction project.

COMPLEX

Despite the numerous obstacles that hindered their initial efforts, the researchers eventually made significant headway in understanding the complex disease.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    cannot make it

    Cannot reach satisfactory or expected standards or do something competently; describes someone in a hopeless situation.

  2. 02

    doctors make the worst patients

    It is difficult to advise people on subjects that they are experts on.

  3. 03

    enough to make a cat laugh

    Very outlandish or outrageous.

  4. 04

    enough to make the angels weep

    Something so distressing that it causes one to lose hope and faith.

  5. 05

    fine feathers make fine birds

    Something that appears beautiful or good is by definition beautiful or good.

  6. 06

    it takes all kinds to make a world

    Diversity is essential: the world would be incomplete if everyone were alike; an expression of surprise at a person or people's eccentricity.

  7. 07

    it takes two to make a quarrel

    It takes two or more people to cause a quarrel; one cannot blame an argument entirely on the other side.

  8. 08

    kiss and make up

    To settle one's differences and forgive.

© 2026 English Reference