go the distance, to say the least.

 Most of us know the meaning of a life-changing moment. But what sort of change that moment will bring about....well, that can vary, to say the least.



The secret to a happy marriage for men is choosing a wife who is smarter and at least five years younger than you, say UK experts. These pairings are more likely to go the distance, particularly if neither has been divorced in the past, according to the Bath University team.
英國專家說，男性幸福婚姻的秘訣，是選擇比你聰明、而且至少小你5歲的妻子。巴斯大學團隊表示，這樣的組合比較可能走得長久，特別是如果兩個人之前都沒有離過婚的話。◎鄭寺音




Carry through a course of action to completion. For example, He said he's willing to go the distance with this project. This expression originated in boxing, where it means "to last for all the rounds that have been scheduled." In baseball the same term means "to pitch an entire game." For a synonym, see all the way, def. 1.

Phrases

at least

• 1not less than; at the minimum:clean the windows at least once a week

• 2if nothing else (used to add a positive comment about a generally negative situation):the options aren’t complete, but at least they’re a start

• 3anyway (used to modify something just stated):they seldom complained—officially at least

at the least (or very least)

• 1(used after amounts) not less than; at the minimum:stay ten days at the least

• 2taking the most pessimistic or unfavourable view:a programme which is, at the very least, excellent PR for the hospital

least said, soonest mended

proverb a difficult situation will be resolved more quickly if there is no more discussion of it.

not in the least

not in the smallest degree; not at all:he was not in the least taken aback

not least

in particular; notably:there is a great deal at stake, not least in relation to the environment

to say the least (of it)

used as an understatement (implying the reality is more extreme, usually worse):his performance was disappointing to say the least