take it far

USAGE SUMMARY

'take it far' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an idiomatic expression that means to take something to the extreme. For example: He always takes his jokes too far; he needs to learn to just take it far enough to get a laugh, not too far that it becomes offensive.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Victory would not only consolidate its ranking edge over West Indies, but it would take it far closer to a place in the quarterfinals.

The New York Times - Sports

Latin Americans take it far more seriously.

The Guardian - Opinion

And the attorney general would have had to take it far more seriously.

The New York Times

"But a lot of people don't take it far enough," Mr. Weinstein said.

The New York Times - Tech

But isn't it the case that some people also take it far too seriously?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If successful, the spacecraft will go into a long, elliptical nine-day orbit around the poles of Venus that will take it far out into space.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"He's taken it far beyond anything anybody had dreamed of," Murray said.

Harvard University

In the new study they show they've now taken it far enough to study live neural activity.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We later re-launched the website, taking it far beyond product specs and shopping carts.

Harvard Business Review

The cruising scene takes it far away from any Joe Esleazinessype sleaziness or supposed erotic danger.

The Guardian - Film

But Mr. Bedford took it far beyond the hollows of Tennessee.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take it far" when you want to express the idea of extending something beyond its ordinary limits or developing it significantly.

Common error

Avoid using "take it far" when a more specific term exists. While generally applicable, using a more precise synonym enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take it far" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of extending or developing something to a considerable degree. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and idiomatic nature.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take it far" is a grammatically correct and idiomatic expression used to convey the idea of extending something significantly or pushing boundaries. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's appropriate in various contexts, with a neutral register that suits both news and general communication. While "take it far" might not be as common as other phrases, it provides a concise way to express the concept of exceeding ordinary limits, or significantly advancing an idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

carry it further

Suggests continuing an action or process to a greater extent.

push it to the limit

Implies reaching the maximum possible extent or capability.

take it to the next level

Suggests improving or developing something to a more advanced stage.

go the extra mile

Refers to making more effort than is expected or required.

go above and beyond

Similar to going the extra mile but emphasizes surpassing expectations.

extend its reach

Focuses on broadening the scope or influence of something.

maximize its potential

Emphasizes fully developing or exploiting the possibilities of something.

elevate it significantly

Focuses on raising the quality or status of something to a high degree.

amplify its effects

Implies increasing the impact or consequences of something.

broaden its scope

Highlights the widening of an area of activity or influence.

FAQs

What does the phrase "take it far" mean?

The phrase "take it far" generally means to extend something beyond its normal limits or develop it significantly. It implies pushing boundaries or going to an extreme.

How can I use "take it far" in a sentence?

You can use "take it far" to describe actions that go beyond what is expected or typical. For example, "She wanted to "carry it further" and "amplify its effects", to reach a wider audience".

Which is correct, "take it far" or "take it too far"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have different meanings. "Take it far" means to extend something significantly, while "take it too far" implies going beyond acceptable limits.

What are some alternatives to using "take it far"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "go the extra mile", "go above and beyond", or "maximize its potential" as alternatives to "take it far".