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get through — 5 meanings

One phrase, 5 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrasal verb5 meanings
  1. 1 finish a difficult taskTo finish something that is hard or takes a lot of effort.
  2. 2 survive a hard periodTo manage to live or deal with a difficult or unpleasant time.
  3. 3 make phone contactTo succeed in making contact with someone by phone.
  4. 4 use all of somethingTo use or finish the whole amount of something, especially faster than expected.
  5. 5 emotionally reachTo succeed in making someone understand or be emotionally affected by what you are saying or doing, especially when it is difficult for them to accept or respond.
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All meanings, in depth

Ordered by how often you'll hear each one — the meaning tells you what it does, the examples and tips show it in use.

1

finish a difficult task

B1get through sthspokenMost common

To finish something that is hard or takes a lot of effort.

I finally got through all my homework before midnight.

A: How was your day?
B: Exhausting! I just got through that huge report at work.

During exam season, I have to get through a lot of reading every week.

Common mistake

✗I need to get through with this report by five.

✓I need to get through this report by five.

'Get through' a task takes the object directly — 'get through with' is non-standard here.

Tell it apart

I finally got through my inbox.

finished the demanding task

I got through to customer service.

reached them by phone
Use this when you want to say you completed something that was tough or took a long time.Not the same as 'get by,' which means to survive with just enough.

Often paired with

get through + workload
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2

survive a hard period

B1get through sthspoken

To manage to live or deal with a difficult or unpleasant time.

She got through the illness with the support of her friends.

A: How did you get through last winter?
B: It was tough, but I stayed positive and kept busy.

Many people find it hard to get through stressful times without help.

Common mistake

✗I couldn't get through with such a hard week without you.

✓I couldn't get through such a hard week without you.

'Get through' a hard time takes the object directly — no 'with'.

Tell it apart

We got through a hard year together.

survived it

We get through a lot of coffee.

use it all up
Use this when talking about surviving or managing during tough times.'Get through' focuses on surviving the period, not fully recovering from it.

Often paired with

get through + hard time
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3

make phone contact

B1get through to sbspoken

To succeed in making contact with someone by phone.

I tried calling her all morning but couldn't get through.

A: Did you talk to your boss?
B: Not yet. I can't get through to her office line.

Sometimes it's difficult to get through to customer service during busy hours.

Common mistake

✗I called all day but couldn't get through the office.

✓I called all day but couldn't get through to the office.

To reach a person by phone, it's 'get through TO' them. Without 'to', it means finish a task.

Tell it apart

I finally got through to them after an hour on hold.

reached them by phone

I got through the whole to-do list.

finished the task
Use 'get through to' when you finally reach someone by phone after trying.Not the same as 'call back,' which means to return a call.

Often paired with

get through to + person
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4

use all of something

B2get through sthspoken

To use or finish the whole amount of something, especially faster than expected.

We got through all the snacks before the movie even started.

A: Do we have any paper left?
B: No, we got through the last pack yesterday.

Students often get through a lot of coffee during exam week.

Common mistake

✗We get through with a lot of paper.

✓We get through a lot of paper.

'Get through' takes the amount directly — no 'with'.

Tell it apart

We get through a loaf of bread a day.

use it all up

We got through a tough week.

survived a hard time
Use this when talking about finishing supplies or resources.'Get through' here means to use up, not just experience.

Often paired with

get through + quantity
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5

emotionally reach

C1get through to sbspoken

To succeed in making someone understand or be emotionally affected by what you are saying or doing, especially when it is difficult for them to accept or respond.

No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't get through to her teenage son.

A: I've explained it so many times, but he still doesn't seem to care.
B: Sometimes it's really hard to get through to people when they're upset.

In some cases, teachers struggle to get through to students who are disengaged, despite using a variety of teaching methods.

Common mistake

✗I can't get through him.

✓I can't get through to him.

For reaching someone emotionally, you need 'get through TO' them.

Tell it apart

Nothing I say gets through to her.

reaches her emotionally

I finally got through to her on the phone.

reached her by phone
Use this sense when you want to express that your words or actions have had an emotional or psychological impact on someone, or have made them truly understand your point. It is common in both spoken and written English, especially when discussing communication difficulties.Unlike the B1 sense 'make phone contact', this sense is figurative and refers to emotional or psychological impact, not physical or technological connection.

Often paired with

get through to + person
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finish a difficult tasksurvive a hard periodmake phone contactuse all of somethingemotionally reach