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."
inseparable
get through
B1 neutral mixed transitive/intransitive
To successfully survive a difficult period, finish a task, contact someone, or make someone understand.
In plain English
To manage to finish something hard, reach someone on the phone, or make your point understood.
What does "get through" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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."
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."
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."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To pass through a physical barrier or opening — the completion/survival sense is an extension of this.
Actually means
To manage to finish something hard, reach someone on the phone, or make your point understood.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "get through"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
exam day week crisis phone hard time someone interview
How to conjugate "get through"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "get through" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "get through" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "get through"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
complete endure finish make contact reach survive
Keep exploring
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