get a lot of mileage out of

get (some kind of) mileage out of (something)

1. To be able to drive a vehicle a certain amount of miles before having to stop and refill the gas tank. (e.g. "Good mileage" refers to the ability to drive many miles before having to stop and refuel.) I'm afraid you won't get great gas mileage out of a huge truck like that.2. By extension, to use something to a certain degree or extent. The president has gotten a lot of mileage out of his tax cuts as a platform for his re-election campaign. One way to cut down on spending is to buy clothes you're sure you'll get mileage out of. I'm afraid you won't get much mileage out of this old computer anymore.See also: get, kind, mileage, of, out

get a lot of mileage out of something

Fig. to get a lot of use from something, as if it were a car. Bob always got a lot of mileage out of one joke. I got a lot of mileage out of my TV before it broke down.See also: get, lot, mileage, of, out