break through

British  

verb

1. (intr) to penetrate

2. (intr, adverb) to achieve success, make a discovery, etc, esp after lengthy efforts

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noun

1. a significant development or discovery, esp in science

2. the penetration of an enemy's defensive position or line in depth and strength

break through Idioms  

1. Penetrate a barrier or obstruction, as in They broke through the wall to get into the vault, or It won't be long before we break through the code and map all human genes. Used literally for going through a physical barrier since about 1400, this phrase began to be used figuratively in the late 1500s.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

break through

Investors aren’t sold on plans to introduce new McNugget flavors, and an analyst recently noted that McDonald’s has struggled to break through on chicken-related innovation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

But as usual, he can’t help but break through the fence and run into traffic.

From Salon ● Sep. 18, 2026

But with an enforced break through injury and then lower minutes at the World Cup, he could be about to produce the regular scintillating performances we have become used to.

From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026

When creating the presidency, one of the Framers’ greatest worries was that holders of the new office would break through all the anti-monarchical provisions of the Constitution to become autocrats.

From Slate ● Aug. 17, 2026

“But suppose they break through the wall somewhere else?” said Holly.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams

Related Words

• arrive
• come
• come out
• crop up
• develop
• emerge
• materialize
• occur
• pop up
• present
• show
• show up
• surface
• turn out
• turn up