get (some kind of) mileage out of (something)

get (some kind of) mileage out of (something)

1. To be able to drive a vehicle a certain amount of miles before having to stop and refill the gas tank. (e.g. "Good mileage" refers to the ability to drive many miles before having to stop and refuel.) I'm afraid you won't get great gas mileage out of a huge truck like that.
2. By extension, to use something to a certain degree or extent. The president has gotten a lot of mileage out of his tax cuts as a platform for his re-election campaign. One way to cut down on spending is to buy clothes you're sure you'll get mileage out of. I'm afraid you won't get much mileage out of this old computer anymore.
See also: get, kind, mileage, of, out
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

get a lot of mileage out of something

Fig. to get a lot of use from something, as if it were a car. Bob always got a lot of mileage out of one joke. I got a lot of mileage out of my TV before it broke down.
See also: get, lot, mileage, of, out

get some kind of mileage out of something

 
1. Lit. to achieve some level of efficiency with a vehicle. (Some kind of typically includes more, better, good, etc.) Do you get good mileage out of a vehicle like this.
2. Fig. to get [sufficient] use or service from something. I wish I could get better mileage out of this car. He knows how to get a lot of mileage out of a pair of shoes.
See also: get, kind, mileage, of, out
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

get mileage out of

Make use of, obtain service from, as in The chorus got a lot of mileage out of that publicity, or You won't get much mileage out of that old TV set. This expression alludes to the number of miles of travel yielded by a given amount of fuel, a tire, or other auto equipment. [Colloquial; mid-1900s]
See also: get, mileage, of, out
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • get a lot of mileage out of
  • get mileage out of
  • get some kind of mileage out of
  • mileage
  • run out of gas
  • pass gas
  • berp
  • step on the gas
  • pipe away