まで after a te-form

Hello everyone,

can anyone explain to me the usage of まで after the te-form? I ask because my grammar book doesn't explain the usage of まで after te, only after the dictionary form and nouns.

The passage goes like so,
「でも、 お姉さんたちが、命より、大事なかみをきってまでたすけようとしてくれたのですからしたがわないわけにはいきません。」
This passage is from the children's book「人形」if anyone is wondering.

Any support would be appreciated,

Kai.

まで means "even" there. "Even" is inserted after the -te form that shows the means (to help). (でも has the similar meaning.)

The sisters were going to help her even by cutting their hairs.

かみをきってたすける(to help by cutting their hairs) --> かみをきってまでたすける(to help even by cutting their hairs)

まで【迄】
4 〔強意〕
老人まで踊っている
Even the elderly are dancing.
そんなにまでする必要はない
There is no need to go that far.
土下座をしないまでも謝るぐらいしたらどうだい
Nobody is asking you to prostrate yourself, but you could at least say you're sorry!
それは言うまでもないことだ
That goes without saying.
君がやれと言ったからやったまでのことさ
You told me to do it and so I did. That's all there is to it.

Click to expand...

まで【迄】の英語・英訳 - 和英辞書 - goo辞書

Ah, okay. It makes sense now. I assumed it would be something along the lines of that. Thank you, Toritoribe.