follow-through

[ fol-oh-throo, -throo ]

noun

1. the completion of a motion, as in the stroke of a tennis racket.
2. the portion of such a motion after the ball has been hit.
3. the act of continuing a plan, project, scheme, or the like to its completion.

follow through

verb

1. sport to complete (a stroke or shot) by continuing the movement to the end of its arc
2. tr to pursue (an aim) to a conclusion

noun

1. sport
   1. the act of following through
   2. the part of the stroke after the ball has been hit
2. the completion of a procedure, esp after a first action

Word History and Origins

Origin of follow-through¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; noun use of verb phrase follow through

Example Sentences

But it now appears that, yes, British Home Secretary Theresa May could well follow through on the ban.

From The Daily Beast

We need Obama to follow through on his promise to eradicate it.

From The Daily Beast

This hardly seems to be an atmosphere that encourages a sexual assault victim to follow through with an allegation.

From The Daily Beast

Investigating magistrates can later decide to drop the case or they can choose to follow through with a formal criminal charge.

From The Daily Beast

He grabbed international attention, but failed to follow through.

From The Daily Beast

When was a decision made, if you recall, as to the precise route that the motorcade would follow through Dallas?

From Project Gutenberg

All we had to do was to follow through the49 ridge with the water on our right, and listen for voices.

From Project Gutenberg

Not a wave of her brown hair that I would not patiently follow through all its windings.

From Project Gutenberg

He thought dizzily of the spearmen trying to follow through the dark and could almost laugh again.

From Project Gutenberg

Then I teed up and drove with a good follow-through action that carried me round several circles before I could stop.

From Project Gutenberg