get a lot of mileage out of

get (some kind of) mileage out of (something)

1. To be able to drive a vehicle a certain amount of miles before having to stop and refill the gas tank. (e.g. "Good mileage" refers to the ability to drive many miles before having to stop and refuel.) I'm afraid you won't get great gas mileage out of a huge truck like that. Oh, you'll get great mileage out of a little hatchback like that. You still don't need to stop for gas? Wow, you really do get great mileage out of this car!
2. By extension, to use something to a certain degree or extent. The president has gotten a lot of mileage out of his tax cuts as a platform for his re-election campaign. One way to cut down on spending is to buy clothes you're sure you'll get mileage out of. I'm afraid you won't get much mileage out of this old computer anymore.
See also: get, kind, mileage, of, out
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

get a lot of mileage out of something

Fig. to get a lot of use from something, as if it were a car. Bob always got a lot of mileage out of one joke. I got a lot of mileage out of my TV before it broke down.
See also: get, lot, mileage, of, out
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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