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put through — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrasal verb2 meanings
  1. 1 connect by phoneto connect someone to another person on the phone, usually by transferring the call.
  2. 2 make someone experience something difficultto make someone experience something unpleasant or challenging, often over a period of time.
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1

connect by phone

B1put sb through to sbMost common

to connect someone to another person on the phone, usually by transferring the call.

Could you put me through to the manager, please?

A: Hi, can I speak to Dr. Lee?
B: Sure, I'll put you through now.

During my internship, I often answered calls and put customers through to the right department.

Common mistake

✗Can you put me through with accounts?

✓Can you put me through to accounts?

'Put someone THROUGH TO' a person/department — not 'with'.

Tell it apart

I'll put you through to her.

connect your call now

I'll pass your message on to her.

relay it later
Often used when calling companies or offices and you need to speak to a specific person.Not the same as 'call back' (to return a call) or 'hang up' (to end a call).

Often paired with

put + someone + through
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2

make someone experience something difficult

B2put sb through sth

to make someone experience something unpleasant or challenging, often over a period of time.

She really put her parents through a lot when she was a teenager.

A: I heard your team had to work all weekend.
B: Yeah, our boss put us through some tough deadlines.

Many students feel that final exams put them through a great deal of stress.

Common mistake

✗Sorry for putting you through of this.

✓Sorry for putting you through this.

'Put someone through' + the hardship — no 'of'.

Tell it apart

He put me through hell.

made me endure it

I went through hell.

experienced it myself
Often used to talk about difficult situations, exams, or emotional experiences.Not the same as 'go through' (to experience something yourself).

Often paired with

put + someone + through
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connect by phonemake someone experience something difficult