Idioms

go to extremes

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go to extremes

1. To take drastic measures toward some goal or end. I'm not surprised that he rigged the student council election—he seems like the type to go to extremes to get what he wants. t's just a minor leak, so let's not go to extremes—we don't need to tear open the kitchen to fix it. Of course I want to make it to the majors, but I will never go to extremes and take performance-enhancing drugs.
2. To act in an excessive or overzealous manner. Don't go to extremes scouring your whole house for my charging cord—just let me know if you happen to see it. All I asked was if you'd seen my charging cord—you chose to go to extremes and scour your whole house for it. A: "The other team has legit uniforms and full gear." B: "I don't understand when people go to extremes with their rec league teams like that."
See also: extreme, go, to
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

go to extremes (to do something)

to be excessive in one's efforts to do something. Auntie Jane will go to extremes to make us all comfortable. Let's not go to extremes! We've already spent enough on gifts for the kids.
See also: extreme, go, to
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

go to exˈtremes

,

carry/take something to exˈtremes

behave in a way that is not moderate or normal: She really goes to extremes, spending such huge sums of money on entertaining her friends. ♢ You never go out after dark? That’s taking being careful to extremes, isn’t it?
See also: extreme, go, to
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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References in periodicals archive
In fact, in their drive to entertain, many television programs and motion pictures go to extremes. They either depict the criminal justice system as anything but just, or they create the impression that real-life law enforcement officers can accomplish superhuman feats.
Students for Justice: teaching young people about the justice system
Resin producers go to extremes to prevent contamination of the product shipped, but transportation and handling offer numerous possibilities for resin contamination.
The dirty facts about railcar unloading
Behold the beauty: "Clear as crystal, sharp as a knife, I feel like I'm in the prime of my life." (It's from his 1989 track I Go To Extremes.)
Tattooed LiLo is one silly billy
It is grossly irresponsible of tour companies to go to extremes to make unlimited alcohol available."
Docs' warning over alco-hols
Behold the beauty: "Clear as crystal, sharp as a knife, I feel like I'm in the prime of my life." (It's from his 1989 track I Go To Extremes.) I'd have probably gone for this lesserknown Joel classic: "Foggy as a hangover, cut by a surgeon's knife, I already look like I'm past the prime of my life." Just an idea...
tattooed LiLo is one silly billy
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