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Meaning trap

get through

finish a difficult task

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

phrasal verbB1common

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

finish a difficult task

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

get through (survive a hard period)

Another meaning of 'get through' is 'survive a hard period'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.

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Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • I finally got through all my homework before midnight.study
  • During exam season, I have to get through a lot of reading every week.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: get through (something)

WrongI need to get through with this report by five.

RightI need to get through this report by five.

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

Patternget through (something)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff I managed to complete the entirety of my workload.

Natural I got through all my work.

'Get through' is the natural verb for finishing a demanding amount; 'complete the entirety of my workload' is stiff.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • get through + workload
    the worka pile of emailsthe readingit all

Don't confuse it

Not the same as 'get by,' which means to survive with just enough.

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