Meaning trap
pull through
overcome adversity
to succeed in surviving or achieving something despite facing major obstacles, setbacks, or adversity, especially in a figurative or abstract context beyond illness.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to succeed in surviving or achieving something despite facing major obstacles, setbacks, or adversity, especially in a figurative or abstract context beyond illness.
'pull through' also has the more basic meaning 'recover from a serious illness or difficult situation'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- Despite the economic downturn, the company managed to pull through and emerge stronger than before.success
- Many experts argue that communities with strong social ties are more likely to pull through in times of crisis, such as natural disasters or economic hardship.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: pull through (something)
WrongWe'll pull it through.
RightWe'll pull through.
'Pull through' stands alone — you don't 'pull something through' in this sense.
Patternpull through (something)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Pull through' compactly means come out the other side of hardship; the formal version is flat.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
pull through + adversitysomehowin the endtogetherdespite it
Don't confuse it
Unlike the B2 sense, which focuses on recovering from illness or a personal crisis, this sense is broader and more figurative, often used for groups or organizations overcoming major setbacks, or for abstract challenges.
Related
- pull through (recover from a serious illness or difficult situation) — 'pull through' also has the more basic meaning 'recover from a serious illness or difficult situation'; this is the advanced sense.