go a long/some way towards doing something
(redirected from go a long way towards doing something)go a long way toward (doing something)
To be particularly helpful or useful in achieving some action or goal. Don't do anything rash—patience will go a long way toward bringing you allies in this situation. You know, apologizing would go a long way toward mending your friendship with John.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
go a long way toward
Have considerable effect or influence on. For example, This argument goes a long way toward proving the scientists are wrong, or, as Eudora Welty put it in The Ponder Heart (1954): "It went a long way toward making him touchy about what Uncle Daniel had gone and done." This idiom, then put as go a great way toward, was first recorded in 1697.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
go a long/some way towards doing something
help very much/a little in achieving something: The new law goes a long way towards solving the problem.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017