Push through sth Meaning & Examples: How to Use This Phrasal Verb

What Does โ€œPush through sthโ€ Mean?

โ€œPush through sthโ€ means to continue doing something despite difficulties or obstacles until it is finished or achieved.

Introduction

The phrase โ€œpush through sthโ€ is a common phrasal verb in English. It is often used when someone faces challenges but keeps going until they succeed. Whether at work, school, or in personal life, this expression shows determination and effort. Understanding the Push through sth meaning helps learners use it naturally in conversation and writing. It conveys strength and persistence in overcoming problems or delays.

Quick Info Box

  • Phrasal verb: Push through something
  • Type: Transitive
  • Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
  • Short meaning: To continue and complete a task despite difficulties

Structure (Grammar Rules)

โ€œPush through sthโ€ is a transitive phrasal verb, so it always takes an object.

It is inseparable, meaning you cannot put the object between โ€œpushโ€ and โ€œthrough.โ€

Correct pattern: push through + object (something)

Example: She pushed through the pain to finish the race.

How to Use Push through sth?

Use โ€œpush through sthโ€ when describing situations where a person or group continues working hard despite problems. It often relates to difficult projects, tough decisions, or physical and mental challenges. It emphasizes determination and effort to reach a goal.

It can be used in past, present, or future tenses:

  • We are pushing through the last stage of the project.
  • He pushed through the obstacles to graduate on time.
  • They will push through the new policy despite opposition.

Examples

When facing challenges at work, people often need to push through difficulties to succeed.

  • Despite feeling tired, Maria pushed through the long meeting.
  • The team pushed through the technical problems and completed the software update.
  • He pushed through his fear and gave a great presentation.
  • They pushed through the bad weather to finish the outdoor event.
  • Push through sth in a sentence: โ€œWe had to push through the delays to meet the deadline.โ€

Common Mistakes

Many learners confuse the separability of phrasal verbs or use the wrong object placement.

  • Incorrect: She pushed the project through.
  • Correct: She pushed through the project.
  • Incorrect: They pushed through it the challenge.
  • Correct: They pushed through the challenge.

Remember, โ€œpush throughโ€ is inseparable, so the object must follow the entire phrase.

Differences / Synonyms

โ€œPush through sthโ€ is similar to โ€œcarry on,โ€ โ€œget through,โ€ and โ€œfollow through,โ€ but there are differences:

  • Carry on: To continue doing something, often without emphasizing difficulty.
  • Get through: To successfully finish something difficult or unpleasant.
  • Follow through: To complete an action or promise fully.

โ€œPush throughโ€ focuses more on force and effort to overcome obstacles.

Common Collocations

You will often hear โ€œpush throughโ€ used with these objects related to challenges or tasks:

  • Push through pain: To continue despite physical discomfort.
  • Push through difficulties: To overcome problems.
  • Push through a project: To complete work despite issues.
  • Push through a law/policy: To get approval despite resistance.
  • Push through fatigue: To keep going despite tiredness.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of push through sth:

Real-life Dialogue

Talking about finishing a difficult task often involves โ€œpush through.โ€

Anna: This report is taking forever. Iโ€™m so tired.

Tom: I know, but we just have to push through it. The deadline is tomorrow.

Anna: Youโ€™re right. Letโ€™s finish this now.

Practice

Try to complete the sentences using โ€œpush throughโ€ and the correct object.

  • Even though the team faced many setbacks, they __________ the project.
  • She felt sick but decided to __________ the pain and finish the marathon.
  • The government plans to __________ the new law despite protests.

FAQ

  • What does โ€œpush through sthโ€ mean? It means to continue and complete something despite difficulties.
  • Is โ€œpush throughโ€ separable? No, it is an inseparable phrasal verb.
  • Can I use โ€œpush throughโ€ for physical and mental challenges? Yes, it is used for both types of challenges.
  • What level is โ€œpush through sthโ€ suitable for? It is best for intermediate to upper-intermediate learners (B2 level).
  • How do I use โ€œpush throughโ€ in a sentence? Use it with an object after the phrase, like โ€œpush through the difficulties.โ€

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