1 A2 neutral
To connect a telephone call to a person or department.
"Could you put me through to the manager, please?"
separable
put through
B1 neutral separable transitive
To connect a phone call; to cause someone to experience something difficult; to successfully complete a process or get something approved.
In plain English
To connect a phone call to someone; or to make someone experience something hard; or to get something officially approved.
What does "put through" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic neutral
To cause someone to experience something difficult or unpleasant.
"She put her family through a lot of worry when she disappeared without leaving a note."
separable
3 B2 formal
To successfully complete a process, get something approved, or see something through official channels.
"The government managed to put the legislation through before the end of the session."
separable
4 B1 idiomatic neutral
To pay for someone's education or training.
"His parents worked two jobs each to put him through university."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move something through a barrier or system — partially transparent.
Actually means
To connect a phone call to someone; or to make someone experience something hard; or to get something officially approved.
Usage tip
The phone sense is the most concrete and common. The 'causing to experience' sense often implies hardship: 'put someone through a lot.' The administrative sense is more formal: 'put a bill through Parliament.' Separable in most senses.
Words that pair with "put through"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
call ordeal paces university Parliament process
How to conjugate "put through"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
put through
I/you/we/they
3rd person
puts through
he/she/it
Past simple
put through
yesterday
Past participle
put through
have + pp
-ing form
putting through
continuous
Hear "put through" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "put through" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "put through"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
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