1
general::
Phrase(s): go the distance
Fig. to do the whole amount; to play the entire game; to run the whole race. (Originally sports use.) • That horse runs fast. I hope it can go the distance. • This is going to be a long, hard project. I hope I can go the distance.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
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.
American Heritage Idioms