go a long way toward

go a long way toward (doing something)

To be particularly helpful or useful in achieving some action or goal. Don't do anything rash—patience will go a long way toward bringing you allies in this situation. You know, apologizing would go a long way toward mending your friendship with John.
See also: go, long, toward, way
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

go a long way toward doing something

 and go a long way in doing something
Fig. almost to satisfy specific conditions; to be almost right. This machine goes a long way toward meeting our needs. Your plan went a long way in helping us with our problem.
See also: go, long, toward, way
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

go a long way toward

Have considerable effect or influence on. For example, This argument goes a long way toward proving the scientists are wrong, or, as Eudora Welty put it in The Ponder Heart (1954): "It went a long way toward making him touchy about what Uncle Daniel had gone and done." This idiom, then put as go a great way toward, was first recorded in 1697.
See also: go, long, toward, way
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

go a long/some way towards doing something

help very much/a little in achieving something: The new law goes a long way towards solving the problem.
See also: go, long, something, towards, way
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • go a long way toward (doing something)
  • go a long way toward doing
  • go a long/some way towards doing something
  • go a long way in (doing something)
  • go a long way
  • proper
  • go through (the proper) channels
  • go through channels
  • stick at nothing
  • make a move
References in periodicals archive
Thus, talking beforehand with your spouse about these potential areas of disagreement can go a long way toward avoiding future conflicts.
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Either of these alternatives would go a long way toward creating the kind of health care system most Americans want: a system in which doctors and patients, not HMOs, make decisions about what services patients need, and in which patients can speak to doctors without fear of having their words plastered across cyberspace.
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While the combination of solid clinical services for the resident, good family relations and attractive amenities go a long way toward anchoring a facility in the community, many nursing homes have discovered that they are, nevertheless, losing market share and census to competitors.
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Helping an LPN achieve an RN degree with tuition support -- on average, this runs about $1,000 per year per nurse -- can go a long way toward creating a loyal staffer.
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