to get better after being very sick or to succeed in a very hard situation
After weeks in the hospital, she finally pulled through and went home.
A: Do you think your grandfather will be okay? B: The doctors say he's strong, so they believe he'll pull through.
My friend was very sick last year, but with the support of his family, he managed to pull through.
Common mistake
✗He pulled through from the surgery.
✓He pulled through after the surgery. / He pulled through.
'Pull through' is usually used alone — not 'pull through from'.
Tell it apart
The doctors think she'll pull through.
survive / recover
She came round after the operation.
regained consciousness
Use 'pull through' when someone survives or recovers from something very serious, like a bad illness or a big challenge.Don't confuse with 'get over', which is often used for less serious problems.
to succeed in surviving or achieving something despite facing major obstacles, setbacks, or adversity, especially in a figurative or abstract context beyond illness.
Despite the economic downturn, the company managed to pull through and emerge stronger than before.
A: Do you think the team can pull through after losing their star player? B: If they stay focused and support each other, I believe they can.
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.
Common mistake
✗We'll pull it through.
✓We'll pull through.
'Pull through' stands alone — you don't 'pull something through' in this sense.
Tell it apart
The business pulled through the recession.
survived it
The business pulled out of the market.
withdrew from it
'Pull through' in this sense is used for situations involving significant hardship or crisis, not just minor problems. It is appropriate in both spoken and written English, especially when describing teams, organizations, or individuals overcoming collective or abstract challenges.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.