1 B2 neutral
To succeed in completing something, especially despite obstacles or difficulties.
"She promised to carry the project through, no matter how long it took."
separable
carry through
B2 neutral separable transitive
To complete something successfully despite difficulties, or to help someone survive or cope with a difficult period.
In plain English
To finish something all the way to the end even when it is hard, or to help someone get through a tough time.
What does "carry through" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To help someone survive or cope with a difficult situation.
"Her determination carried her through those difficult months after the accident."
separable
Usage tip
Less frequent than 'carry out' but more emphatic about completion against obstacles. The sense of sustaining a person through difficulty is slightly literary.
Words that pair with "carry through"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
plan promise reform courage determination crisis
How to conjugate "carry through"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
carry through
I/you/we/they
3rd person
carries through
he/she/it
Past simple
carried through
yesterday
Past participle
carried through
have + pp
-ing form
carrying through
continuous
Hear "carry through" in the wild
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