it only goes so far.

Status
Not open for further replies.

keannu

VIP Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2010
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Korean
Home Country
South Korea
Current Location
South Korea
"it only goes so far." is interpreted as "it goes only to that extent". Is it correct?

330-88
ex)There is a saying, "Don't sweat the small stuff." Don't worry about the small things, the minor details that bother us in life. Stay focused on the big picture. This is not a bad philosophy of life, as far as it goes - but it only goes so far. It's a huge mistake to assume that because something is small it isn't important. ..
 

Barb_D

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 12, 2007
Member Type
Other
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
The extent to which that applies is limited. It doesn't apply to everything.
 

keannu

VIP Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2010
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Korean
Home Country
South Korea
Current Location
South Korea
I think "so" in "it only goes so far" meant "very", but to make such meaning you said, it should be "that", right?
 

Barb_D

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 12, 2007
Member Type
Other
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
No.

This idea goes only as far as some undefined distant point, but no further.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top