Definition & Meaning of "Have a long way to go"

have a long way to go

/hav ɐ lˈɒŋ wˈeɪ tə ɡˈəʊ/

/hæv ɐ lˈɑːŋ wˈeɪ tə ɡˈoʊ/

to have a long way to go

PHRASE

to be in a place or position where one needs to make a lot of progress in order to achieve a desired result

to [have] a long way to go definition and meaning

What is the origin of the idiom "have a long way to go" and when to use it?

The phrase "have a long way to go" likely originated from the literal meaning of the words. It suggests that someone or something still has a considerable distance to travel in order to reach a desired goal or outcome. It is used to describe a situation where an individual or entity still needs to make a lot of progress in order to achieve a desired result.