get through
Britishverb
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to succeed or cause or help to succeed in an examination, test, etc
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to bring or come to a destination, esp after overcoming problems
we got through the blizzards to the survivors
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(intr, adverb) to contact, as by telephone
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(intr, preposition) to use, spend, or consume (money, supplies, etc)
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to complete or cause to complete (a task, process, etc)
to get a bill through Parliament
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to reach the awareness and understanding (of a person)
I just can't get the message through to him
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slang (intr, adverb) to obtain illegal drugs
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Reach the end, finish, complete, as in Now that our computer system is working again, I should get through by mid-afternoon . It is also put as get through with , as in As soon as we get through with painting the kitchen, I'll call you . [Mid-1600s]
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Succeed in passing or surviving something, as in This epidemic is awful, but I'm sure we'll get through it somehow . [Mid-1700s]
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Also, get through to someone . Make contact with or reach someone, as in After trying to reach them all night, we got finally through , or He tried to get through to the family . [Late 1800s]
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Also get through to . Make oneself understood, as in Am I getting through to you? [ Colloquial ; mid-1900s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But you did get through to him and, while there are no guarantees, it appears to have worked out.
From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026
"The enemy built a wall consisting of many elements of air defence... we had to cut a door open to get through," he said.
From Barron's • May 17, 2026
“Eventually, you get through the word like it’s water,” one boy in Barajas’ class said.
From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026
But Ukraine has adapted by using drones and artillery to pick off such assault units, and by seeking out Russian squads that manage to get through.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026
“Let’s just get through this meeting with your mom first, and then we’ll worry about that headache.”
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
