A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

Note:
a) The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the
phrase go back a long way—used of smth. that has been in ex-
istence for a long time: Wine making goes back a long way in
countries like Egypt, Greece and France.
b) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase
go to great lengths
—(also: go the extra mile) make an extra ef-
fort; try very hard to achieve a result: Personal appearance can
be very important to some people. So much so, that they will
go to great lengths to maintain a youthful look.
come about • go about
come about—happen; occur: How did it come about that
the man was dismissed?
go about—(of news, disease, etc.) spread round a place: There
are whispers going about that something important is hap-
pening.
come across • go across
come across —
1
. pass from one side to the other: Was the
Channel rough when you came across? 2. (of messages, etc.) be
communicated and understood: The preacher spoke for a long
time but I’m afraid his meaning did not come across. 3. (coll.)
provide money or information: “Did she admit it?” “Yes….
But she wouldn’t come across till dawn.” 4. be perceived as a
particular type of person: You come across as a reasonable kind
of guy to most people.
go across — = come across 
1
: Planks were laid so that the vil-
lagers could go across the marshy area.
come across someone • get across someone
come across someone —meet a person, usually by accident or
unexpectedly: I have never come across such an uncouth per-
son before.
get across someone —(coll.) incur smb.’s displeasure or disfa-
vor: Dr. James has got across several of his patients because of
his outspoken manner.