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muddle through

B2 informal inseparable intransitive

To manage to deal with a difficult situation even though you are confused or disorganised.

In plain English

To somehow manage to finish or survive something difficult, even though you didn't really know how.

What does "muddle through" mean?

One main meaning — here's how to use it.

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.

inseparable
Usage tip

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.

Words that pair with "muddle through"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

somehow crisis recession situation war exam

How to conjugate "muddle through"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

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

Hear "muddle through" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "muddle through" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Other ways to say "muddle through"

Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.

cope get through make it manage scrape through wing it

Keep exploring

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