do the distance

USAGE SUMMARY

"do the distance" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where you want to express completing a task or enduring a challenge. Example: "She trained hard to do the distance in the marathon." Alternative expressions include "go the distance" and "complete the journey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

I know I could do the distance".

Independent

How do the distance constraints faced by lenders in acquiring borrower information affect the design of bank loan contracts?

Journal of Financial Economics

If I can do the distance then why not?

BBC

I was nervous and anticipatory going into the race, but I was confident I could do the distance because I had just done a 31 mile (50km) run [in training].

BBC

While I'd wager nearly all insects have better senses of smell than we do, the distance might not be that great.

Huffington Post

"I had to do it and no matter what, I had to finish the race to prove that women could do the distance and deserved to be in the Boston Marathon," she says, explaining what motived her to keep going.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

This has implications for planning such a service as do the distances travelled by the domiciliary nurse in order to administer the treatment.

British Journal of Cancer

Hayes did the distance in 2hrs.

The Guardian - Sport

How does the distance of a star can be calculated by an amateur astronomer ?

Cornell University

Doing the distance double at a home Olympics will, presumably, always be his crowning glory but as an athletic feat, winning another two world titles is unmatched.

The Guardian - Sport

Stated more precisely, considering the intersection as a reference point, does the distance to the reference point (i.e. midblock locations on the roads) correlate with different types of crashes compared to that of the intersection?

Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific or technical writing, ensure "do the distance" is clearly referring to measurable gaps or metrics rather than figurative goals to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "do the distance" when you actually mean to "distance oneself". The former refers to completing a path, while the latter refers to creating emotional or social separation.

Linguistic Context

In the phrase "do the distance", the word "do" acts as a transitive verb with "the distance" serving as its direct object. According to Ludwig AI, this construction is often used in a causative or active sense to denote the fulfillment of a requirement or the completion of a physical stretch. It frequently appears in interrogative forms in scientific literature to explore how variables interact.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "do the distance" is a versatile expression that spans the gap between literal athletic achievement and technical scientific analysis. While it is less idiomatic than "go the distance", Ludwig AI demonstrates that it is a preferred choice in contexts requiring a focus on the completion of physical or measurable lengths. From the endurance of marathon runners to the constraints of financial lending, the phrase reliably communicates the act of spanning a gap or finishing a course. Writers should feel confident using it in neutral and professional settings, particularly when the literal completion of a path is the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go the distance

More common idiomatic expression for completing a difficult task or reaching the end of a process.

cover the distance

Emphasizes the act of traveling across a physical space.

complete the distance

A more formal way to describe finishing a specific measurement of length.

last the distance

Focuses on the endurance or durability required to reach the finish.

stay the course

Purely idiomatic, focusing on sticking to a plan until completion.

make the distance

Often used when reaching a specific threshold or gap is the goal.

finish the stretch

Refers to the final portion of a path or task.

run the distance

Specific to athletic or running contexts.

travel the length

Focuses on movement from one end to the other.

go all the way

An informal alternative indicating total completion of a journey or task.

FAQs

How do I use "do the distance" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe physical completion, for example: "I was confident I could "do the distance" because I had trained for months."

What is the difference between "do the distance" and "go the distance"?

While both mean to finish, "go the distance" is a more common idiom for perseverance in any task, whereas "do the distance" often refers specifically to physical measurements or athletic feats.

Can I use "cover the distance" instead?

Yes, "cover the distance" is an excellent and often more formal alternative when describing movement across a span of space.

Is "do the distance" informal?

It is generally considered neutral. It appears frequently in reputable news sources like the BBC and in scientific journals, making it appropriate for both casual and professional writing.