What does "get out of your way to do something" mean? The dictionary says if you get out of your way to do something means you try to do something with more effort than is usual or expected, does it r

LuoXiaoye

What does "get out of your way to do something" mean? The dictionary says if you get out of your way to do something means you try to do something with more effort than is usual or expected, does it really make sense? I made a sentence the other day with this struction but my friend didn't get it at all, it's like" I bet you wouldn't come to China as a English teacher until you get out of your way to find another job." what do you make of this sentence, does it make sense to you? I'm wondering if there's any other way to express this idea if this one doesn't work? ;p

Mar 27, 2013 1:33 AM

Answers · 5

Hey LuoXiaoye! I bet you wouldn't come to China as an English teacher if you really got out of your way to find a good job. <- if you are suggesting that the teaching in China was a last resort and teaching English as a job isn't that great. I think I understand what you are trying to say, but the 'until' throws me off a bit. I think a causal sentence in this case is a better option.

March 27, 2013

Well, actually go out of the way to do something is to try very hard to do something pleasant for other people. I kinds understand what you tried to say, but I personally don't advise using such a tricky 'slang' so to speak. Some synonyms are 'attempt', "give (something) your best", "put your heart into (something)" Hope this clears something up! *3*

March 27, 2013

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