THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Come a long way
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
To improve or develop greatly from an earlier position.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- Your spoken English has come a long way since the first session.
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.
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
Your spoken English has ________ since the first session.
Show the answer
Come a long way — To improve or develop greatly from an earlier position.
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Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Come a long way” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
To improve or develop greatly from an earlier position.
Compare: Your spoken English has come a long way since the first session.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use it positively when recognising progress in skills, confidence or a project. It suits everyday and workplace conversation.
More examples in context
- The community garden has come a long way from a bare patch of ground.
- We have come a long way with the design, although a few details still need work.
Usage note
The idiomatic form commonly uses have or has come. It describes progress rather than physical distance, and does not mean the work must be finished.
A short conversation
A: I still make mistakes in presentations.
B: You have come a long way, though. You now explain your ideas much more clearly.
A: I can build on that progress.
One more practice question
What does “Your writing has come a long way” mean?
A. Your writing has been physically transported a long distance.
B. Your writing has improved substantially.
Check your answer
B. The idiom recognises development or improvement.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.