pull through — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To come through pain and trouble through perseverance.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   There was once a poor, very poor widow, who had an only son. She pulled through with the boy till he was confirmed; but then she told him that she could not feed him any longer; he would have to go out and earn his own bread.

   Dr. Gilman's race horse was bad last week; fortunately Mr. Verney, the District Veterinary Surgeon, succeeded in pulling him through.

   More examples (1)

   At one time it looked as though he could not live more than a few hours, and I am convinced that it was only through the Dutchman's doggedness that he pulled through.

2. To assist someone through difficulties, injury, pain, etc.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   "Dr. Van-Herne is confident of pulling Godfrey through, isn't he?"

3. To clean the barrel of a firearm using a pull through.

   Usage

   • Transitive

Verb

1. continue in existence after (an adversity, etc.)

   Synonyms

   survivepull roundcome throughmake it

   Broader terms

   get the better ofovercomedefeat

   Examples

   He survived the cancer against all odds

2. bring into safety

   Synonyms

   savecarry throughbring through

   Broader terms

   actmove

   Examples

   We pulled through most of the victims of the bomb attack