THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Go back a long way
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
To have known each other for a long time.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- Mina and I go back a long way; we met at school.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
0 of 1 checked correctly
Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
Mina and I ________; we met at school.
Show the answer
Go back a long way — To have known each other for a long time.
Try your own sentence (optional)
Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Go back a long way” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
To have known each other for a long time.
Compare: Mina and I go back a long way; we met at school.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.
This quiz is for practice. To save lesson completion on this device, complete the checks in the app.
GO DEEPER
More ways to understand and use it
Jump to a section
When to use it
Use it conversationally when describing a long-standing relationship or connection between people.
More examples in context
- Those two neighbours go back a long way and remember the street before it changed.
- The coach and the organiser go back a long way, which makes their conversations very relaxed.
Usage note
This use describes the history of a relationship, not physical distance. It does not necessarily mean the people have always agreed or been close friends.
A short conversation
A: How do you know the workshop leader?
B: We go back a long way. We trained together years ago.
A: It must be nice to work together again.
One more practice question
What does “We go back a long way” usually mean about two people?
A. They met for the first time a few minutes ago.
B. They have known each other for many years.
Check your answer
B. The expression describes a long-standing acquaintance or relationship.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.