muddle through
B2 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To somehow manage to finish or survive something difficult, even though you didn't really know how.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To succeed in doing something or dealing with a difficult situation, despite being confused or disorganised.
"I hadn't prepared properly, but I muddled through the presentation somehow."
"We shall not flag or fail... we shall muddle through."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
A very British phrase, often used with mild self-deprecating humour. Implies that success was achieved not through skill or planning, but through a kind of bumbling persistence. Often used to describe the national character in popular commentary.
Commonly used with
somehow crisis recession situation war exam
Forms
Base
muddle through
I/you/we/they
3rd person
muddles through
he/she/it
Past simple
muddled through
yesterday
Past participle
muddled through
have + pp
-ing form
muddling through
continuous
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Synonyms
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