pull through

British  

verb

1. Also: pull round.  to survive or recover or cause to survive or recover, esp after a serious illness or crisis

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noun

1. a weighted cord with a piece of cloth at the end used to clean the bore of a firearm

pull through Idioms  

1. Survive a difficult situation or illness, as in We've had to declare bankruptcy, but I'm sure we'll pull through. [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

An ailing Carlos Alcaraz said "believing" helped him pull through one of the most demanding matches of his career to down Alexander Zverev in five epic sets and reach his first Australian Open final Friday.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

Our star dying is an event, the authors say, that even tardigrades are not going to pull through.

From Salon • Feb. 25, 2025

He said he was worrying about his family and his girlfriend, actress Maisie Smith, 23, in case he did not pull through.

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2025

Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett struggled at times against the Chargers, but found a way to pull through in the fourth quarter of a 13-9 preseason win.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 18, 2024

As we go under bridges and pull through stations the light flickers and Carmine makes a shadow game of moving his hand across my white pinafore.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline