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get through

B1 neutral mixed both
In simple words

To manage to finish something hard, reach someone on the phone, or make your point understood.

Literal meaning: To pass through a physical barrier or opening — the completion/survival sense is an extension of this.

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic neutral

To successfully survive or endure a difficult experience or period of time.

"I don't know how she got through those first few months after losing her job."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral

To complete or finish a task, amount of work, or quantity of something.

"We need to get through the entire report before the meeting at three."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B1 neutral

To succeed in contacting someone, usually by phone.

"I've been trying to get through to the customer service line all morning."

Grammar: inseparable
4 B2 idiomatic neutral

To make someone understand or accept something, often after repeated effort.

"I've tried explaining it three times but I just can't seem to get through to him."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Very high frequency. 'Get through to' someone means either reaching them by phone or making them understand you. 'Get through' a task means to complete it. 'Get through to the next round' is common in competition contexts. 'I don't know how I got through it' is a very common expression of resilience.

Commonly used with

exam day week crisis phone hard time someone interview

Forms

Base
get through
I/you/we/they
3rd person
gets through
he/she/it
Past simple
got through
yesterday
Past participle
got/gotten through
have + pp
-ing form
getting through
continuous

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Synonyms

survive endure complete finish reach make contact

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