1
general::
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]
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): 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.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs