In 1879 there was a new deal to publish in within a decade, but after five years they only got so far as the word “ant”. 

参考译文：在1879年，一项新的协议将在十年内出版，但五年后，他们只得到了“蚂蚁”这个词。 

so far as 在以上句子表示程度，表示到达...程度/地步

so far as=as far as只要; 远到…; 据…; 直到…为止;

As far as I can recall, Patti was a Smith.  

我记得帕蒂是姓史密斯的。

As far as I'm concerned the officials incited the fight.  

在我看来，是官员们煽动了这场争斗。

There are pine trees as far as the eye can see.  

放眼望去，除了松树还是松树。

It only lasted a couple of years, as far as I know.  

据我所知，它仅仅维持了两三年。

As far as I'm concerned, the beige one is better.
就我而言，米色的那个更好。

We walked as far as the railroad station.
我们走到火车站那样远的地方。

My garden extends as far as the river.
我的花园一直伸展到河边。

As far as I recollect, you came late.
我记得你来晚了。

As far as we know, that man is bad pay.
据我们所知，那人没有信用，欠债不还。

Can I hitch a lift with you as far as the station?
我可以搭乘你的便车到车站吗？