go back a long way

Meaning

To 'go back a long way' means to have known someone for a very long time, usually since childhood, school, or early career. It implies a deep, shared history and a strong, lasting bond between friends. It is a warm, casual expression used when reflecting on old friendships.

Examples

• We go back a long way—all the way to kindergarten, actually.

  We go back a long way—all the way to kindergarten, actually.

• You should ask Tom for help; you two go back a long way.

  You should ask Tom for help; you two go back a long way.

• My dad and his business partner go back a long way, so they trust each other completely.

  My dad and his business partner go back a long way, so they trust each other completely.

• We don't see each other often, but we go back a long way, so nothing changes when we meet.

  We don't see each other often, but we go back a long way, so nothing changes when we meet.

• They go back a long way, having survived college and several bad apartments together.

  They go back a long way, having survived college and several bad apartments together.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We go back a long time.

  ✓ We go back a long way.

  While logical, the standard idiom uses 'way' (referring to distance in time) rather than 'time'.

• ✗ I go back a long way with my memory.

  ✓ My memories go back a long way.

  This idiom is typically used to describe the duration of a relationship between people, not personal memories or inanimate objects.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Sarah and I ___—we've been best friends since we were seven.

  💡 Have known each other for a very long time.

  Show answer

  go back a long way

• You don't need to be polite with him; you two ___.

  💡 Have a long history together.

  Show answer

  go back a long way