Meaning trap
get through
emotionally reach
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.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
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.
'get through' also has the more basic meaning 'finish a difficult task'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't get through to her teenage son.communication
- In some cases, teachers struggle to get through to students who are disengaged, despite using a variety of teaching methods.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: get through to someone
WrongI can't get through him.
RightI can't get through to him.
For reaching someone emotionally, you need 'get through TO' them.
Patternget through to someone
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Get through to someone' is the natural phrase for reaching them emotionally; the formal version is a counselling note.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
get through to + personto himto hersomehowat all
Don't confuse it
Unlike the B1 sense 'make phone contact', this sense is figurative and refers to emotional or psychological impact, not physical or technological connection.
Related
- get through (finish a difficult task) — 'get through' also has the more basic meaning 'finish a difficult task'; this is the advanced sense.