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• follow-through
  follow-through

  noun

  the completion of a motion, as in the stroke of a tennis racket.
• follow through
  follow through

  verb

  sport to complete (a stroke or shot) by continuing the movement to the end of its arc

follow-through

American  

[fol-oh-throo, -throo] / ˈfɒl oʊˌθru, -ˈθru /

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.

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follow through British  

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

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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

follow through Idioms  

1. In sports such as tennis or golf, carry a stroke to completion after striking the ball. For example, You don't follow through on your backhand, so it goes into the net . [Late 1800s]

2. Carry an object, project, or intention to completion; pursue fully. For example, She followed through on her promise to reorganize the department . Also see follow up , def. 1.

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Etymology

Origin of follow-through

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

Example Sentences

Until Nvidia can deliver clear follow-through, the risk remains that this move may have been a false start rather than the beginning of a sustained advance.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

Changing an in-bred monoculture built over decades is difficult, and the trustees should play a role by insisting on follow-through.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

We are going to take a new long position if SPX can prove that the big rally on April 8 has follow-through.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

Notably, the bears were unable to generate any follow-through after the prior week’s sharp decline, despite the surge in volume.

From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026

Made sure he had a good snap and follow-through.

From "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library" by Chris Grabenstein