above and beyond

English

Etymology

Shortened from the phrase above and beyond the call of duty, referring to heroic behavior during a military operation (“conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty”), traditionally used in citations of awards of a U.S. Medal of Honor.

Prepositional phrase

above and beyond

1. Further than; doing more than is expected or required.

   The hospital staff often go above and beyond what is required of them.

   Putting in overtime with no pay is above and beyond the call of duty.

   • 2021 June 30, Tim Dunn, “How we made... Secrets of the London Underground”, in RAIL, number 934, page 49:

     And what incredible access we were given (and thus passed on via the magic of television to a potentially huge audience), because of the work put in by the production team and TfL staff going above and beyond the call of duty.

Translations

doing more than is expected

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 超出 (zh) (chāochū)

• Finnish: ylittää velvollisuutensa (verb, "to go above and beyond")
• French: please add this translation if you can

Adverb

above and beyond (not comparable)

1. Doing more than is expected or required.

   Boy, they sure went above and beyond when they were planning this party!

Translations

doing more than is expected

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 超出預期／超出预期 (chāochū yùqī)

• Finnish: ylittää velvollisuutensa (verb, "to go above and beyond")
• French: please add this translation if you can

See also

• extraordinary
• supererogation
• superlative