go out of your way
Meaning
To make a special effort or take extra trouble to do something, often to help someone or achieve a goal.
Origin
From the literal idea of leaving your usual route or path to reach a destination; it broadened to mean making an extra effort beyond what’s necessary.
Notes
Often positive (extra helpful effort). In negatives, it can imply you didn’t make any special effort. Common in polite thanks and customer service contexts.
Examples
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She went out of her way to make the new hire feel welcome.
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I’m not asking you to go out of your way—just send the file when you have a minute.
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They went out of their way to find a restaurant that could handle my allergies.
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If you go out of your way for everyone, you’ll burn out fast.
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He went out of his way not to run into his ex at the party.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Fixed pattern: go/went/will go out of your way (to + verb). Can take a purpose clause: go out of your way to help. Also: not go out of your way (to...).
Synonyms
- make a special effort
- go to great lengths
- take extra trouble
- bend over backward
Antonyms
- make no effort
- take the easy way out