ENGLISH
REFERENCE

lengths

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɫɛŋkθs// UK //lˈɛŋθs// lengths

n. the great amount of effort you put into doing something, especially when it is difficult. You use this when someone does everything possible to reach a goal.

n. the extreme efforts or measures taken to achieve a specific purpose. Plural in form when used in this idiomatic sense; often follows the verb 'go to'.


SIMPLE

She went to great lengths to finish the project on time.

CONTEXTUAL

The company went to extraordinary lengths to ensure that every customer was satisfied with the new product.

COMPLEX

Historians have noted that the regime went to incredible lengths to suppress any dissenting voices, including the systematic rewriting of public records and the censorship of private correspondence.

Synonyms
Usage

Almost exclusively used in the plural form within the idiom 'go to (great/any) lengths'.

Pitfall

He went to a great length to help.He went to great lengths to help.In the sense of making an effort, the word must be plural.

Idioms1 entry

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