To survive a difficult, dangerous, or historically significant experience.
To still be alive and okay after something very hard or dangerous happened.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To survive a dangerous, traumatic, or historically significant event.
"My grandmother lived through the Second World War as a child in Poland."
We have lived through an era where too often, short-term gain was prized over long-term prudence.
— Barack Obama, Inaugural Address, January 20, 2009
To endure a very difficult personal experience and come out the other side.
"I don't know how she lived through such a painful divorce while raising three children alone."
To pass through a difficult period of time and emerge on the other side — 'through' implies traversal and survival.
To still be alive and okay after something very hard or dangerous happened.
Often used for wars, disasters, hardships, or major historical events. Carries a sense of witnessing history firsthand. Can also be used hyperbolically for less severe difficulties.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
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