go out of your way

go out of your way — idiom

1. to make a special effort to do something helpful or kind for another person, eve

1.idiomB1
Definition

to make a special effort to do something helpful or kind for another person, even when it is not required of you or when it causes you some inconvenience

Example

Gabriel went out of his way to help Yumi study for her physics exam every Saturday.

pattern: go out of possessive + way + to-infinitive

The restaurant staff went out of their way to make Adaeze's birthday dinner perfect.

Common collocations
  • really go out of one's way
  • truly go out of one's way
  • always goes out of his/her way
Synonyms
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

subject + go out of + possessive determiner + way + to-infinitive

Usage Note

The possessive determiner (your, his, her, my, our, their) must agree with the grammatical subject of the sentence. The phrase is almost always followed by a to-infinitive that states what effort was made. Often used in positive contexts to express appreciation for someone's thoughtful actions.

Common Mistakes

I went out of your way to help.
I went out of my way to help.
the possessive must match the subject, not the person being helped.
She went out of way to help us.
She went out of her way to help us.
the possessive determiner (her) is required; do not drop it.

Synonym discussion

Sense: idiom/1

All four phrases describe making an effort beyond the ordinary, but they differ in strength and formality. 'Go out of your way' (B1) is the most neutral and common — it suggests doing something inconvenient because you care. 'Go the extra mile' (B2) adds a sense of exceeding expectations, often used in service or work contexts. 'Bend over backwards' (B2) is more dramatic and informal, implying you pushed yourself to an uncomfortable degree. 'Take the trouble' (B2) is slightly more formal and can carry a tone of grudging respect, as in 'She took the trouble to write a thank-you note.' For everyday conversation about kindness, 'go out of your way' is the safest choice: 'Our host went out of his way to make us feel comfortable.'

go out of your way ↗go the extra mile ↗bend over backwardstake the trouble

Etymology

English (literal meaning)English (figurative idiom)

This phrase started as a literal description — if you 'went out of your way,' you took a longer or different route than the most direct one. By the 1500s, English speakers began using it figuratively: making an extra effort for someone is like leaving your normal path to help them, then returning to your own business. The image of a physical detour made the idea of doing something inconvenient for another person easy to understand and remember.