answer vs go a long way

answer is a noun but go a long way is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
answer	Yes	No	Yes	No
go a long way	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, go a long way is a hyponym of answer; that is, go a long way is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than answer:

Other hyponyms of answer include bridge over, keep going, tide over, function, serve, measure up, qualify, go around.

answer (noun)	go a long way (noun)
a nonverbal reaction
the speech act of replying to a question
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem
the principal pleading by the defendant in response to plaintiff's complaint; in criminal law it consists of the defendant's plea of `guilty' or `not guilty' (or nolo contendere); in civil law it must contain denials of all allegations in the plaintiff's complaint that the defendant hopes to controvert and it can contain affirmative defenses or counterclaims

answer (verb)	go a long way (verb)
give the correct answer or solution to	suffice or be adequate for a while or to a certain extent
respond to a signal
understand the meaning of
react to a stimulus or command
react verbally
give a defence or refutation of (a charge) or in (an argument)
be satisfactory for; meet the requirements of or serve the purpose of
match or correspond
be liable or accountable
be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity