be on speaking terms(Ready and willing to communicate, not alienated or estranged. Also means that somebody is friendly enough to exchange superficial remarks.
The idiom was first recorded in 1786.: We're on speaking terms with the new neighbors. We are on speaking terms again after the quarrel.DannyMisa)
go to extreme lengths(... that would explain why he went to extreme lengths to break Freddie out of custody • The lengths that some people will go to (=the extreme things they will do) to get a ticket!Taras)