What Does “Push through sth” Mean?
“Push through sth” means to continue doing something despite difficulties or obstacles until it is finished or achieved.
Introduction
The phrase “push through sth” 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)
“Push through sth” is a transitive phrasal verb, so it always takes an object.
It is inseparable, meaning you cannot put the object between “push” and “through.”
Correct pattern: push through + object (something)
Example: She pushed through the pain to finish the race.
How to Use Push through sth?
Use “push through sth” 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: “We had to push through the delays to meet the deadline.”
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, “push through” is inseparable, so the object must follow the entire phrase.
Differences / Synonyms
“Push through sth” is similar to “carry on,” “get through,” and “follow through,” 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.
“Push through” focuses more on force and effort to overcome obstacles.
Common Collocations
You will often hear “push through” 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 “push through.”
Anna: This report is taking forever. I’m so tired.
Tom: I know, but we just have to push through it. The deadline is tomorrow.
Anna: You’re right. Let’s finish this now.
Practice
Try to complete the sentences using “push through” 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 “push through sth” mean? It means to continue and complete something despite difficulties.
- Is “push through” separable? No, it is an inseparable phrasal verb.
- Can I use “push through” for physical and mental challenges? Yes, it is used for both types of challenges.
- What level is “push through sth” suitable for? It is best for intermediate to upper-intermediate learners (B2 level).
- How do I use “push through” in a sentence? Use it with an object after the phrase, like “push through the difficulties.”