through — English Dictionary

Preposition

1. From one side or end of (something) to the other. So as to enter (something), pass within or across, and then leave.

   Examples

   I drove through Lausanne on my way from Geneva to Zurich.

   The bullet went right through his leg.

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   A “moving platform” scheme[…]is more technologically ambitious than maglev trains even though it relies on conventional rails. Local trains would use side-by-side rails to roll alongside intercity trains and allow passengers to switch trains by stepping through docking bays.

2. From one side or end of (something) to the other. So as to progress within (something) or towards the end or limit of (something).

   Examples

   The virus broke out in the capital city and is now spreading quickly through the country.

   I'm working through this box set of the TV series 'Downton Abbey'.

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   They forced a path through the jungle.

3. From one side or end of (something) to the other. From one side of (an opening) to the other.

   Examples

   Go straight ahead and through that door.

   Look through the window.

4. From one side or end of (something) to the other. To or beyond the other side of (an obstacle); past.

   Examples

   I hope to start in the autumn, but I've got to get through the interview first.

   The finance bill did not get through Congress.

   More examples (4)

   We're through the worst part.

   The going will be easier once we're through the bog.

   You can't see through a brick wall!

   Risk is everywhere.[…]For each one there is a frighteningly precise measurement of just how likely it is to jump from the shadows and get you. “The Norm Chronicles”[…]aims to help data-phobes find their way through this blizzard of risks.

5. From one side or end of (something) to the other. Indicating that something has been consumed or used up.

   Usage

   • in phrases such as 'go through'

   Examples

   Have you got through all those chocolates already?!

   The company went through its £100m startup investment in six months.

6. From one side or end of (something) to the other. Along the course of; used in expressions of progress towards the end of something.

   Examples

   We're halfway through the year.

7. From one side or end of (something) to the other. Throughout the duration of.

   Examples

   He worked through the night.

   I never want to sit through another meeting like that again.

8. Via or by way of. By way of (a physical passage).

   Examples

   The hot water enters through this pipe.

9. Via or by way of. By way of (an intermediary, agent, medium, etc.).

   Examples

   I met her through a friend of mine.

   This matter was dealt with through our London office.

   More examples (2)

   I received this anonymous letter through the post.

   Inf America alone, people spent $170 billion on “direct marketing”—junk mail of both the physical and electronic varieties—last year. Yet of those who received unsolicited adverts through the post, only 3% bought anything as a result. If the bumf arrived electronically, the take-up rate was 0.1%. And for online adverts the “conversion” into sales was a minuscule 0.01%.

10. Throughout or across the extent of.

    Examples

    There are errors all through this report.

    Work the eggs and sugar through the mixture.

11. Amidst or surrounded by (while moving).

    Examples

    We slogged through the mud for hours before turning back and giving up.

    The arrow flew through the air.

    More examples (4)

    I spent all day wading through paperwork.

    Athelstan Arundel walked home all the way, foaming and raging. […] He walked the whole way, walking through crowds, and under the noses of dray-horses, carriage-horses, and cart-horses, without taking the least notice of them.

    I stumbled along through the young pines and huckleberry bushes. Pretty soon I struck into a sort of path that, I cal'lated, might lead to the road I was hunting for. It twisted and turned, and, the first thing I knew, made a sudden bend around a bunch of bayberry scrub and opened out into a big clear space like a lawn.

    Turning back, then, toward the basement staircase, she began to grope her way through blinding darkness, but had taken only a few uncertain steps when, of a sudden, she stopped short and for a little stood like a stricken thing, quite motionless save that she quaked to her very marrow in the grasp of a great and enervating fear.

12. To (or up to) and including, with all intermediate values; to... inclusive; until the end of.

    Usage

    • Canada
    • US usage

    Examples

    from 1945 through 1991; the numbers 1 through 9; your membership is active through March 15, 2013

    The plural is "oyesses", but "oyes" vied with "oyez" through about the first half of the nineteenth century.

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    It includes patent requests in machine learning through 2016, the last year for which details are available.

13. By means of.

    Examples

    This team believes in winning through intimidation.

    He's got to where he is today through sheer hard work and determination.

    More examples (2)

    But the home side were ahead in the eighth minute through 18-year-old Oxlade-Chamberlain.

    Since the launch early last year of […] two Silicon Valley start-ups offering free education through MOOCs, massive open online courses, the ivory towers of academia have been shaken to their foundations. University brands built in some cases over centuries have been forced to contemplate the possibility that information technology will rapidly make their existing business model obsolete.

14. In consequence of; as a result of.

    Examples

    The project failed through lack of investment.

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    Our minds and hearts are corrupted with the Adamic virus at birth, and through a lifetime of sin and tragedy, our hearts and thoughts get more evil and more corrupted as we experience life's tragedies.

Adjective

1. Passing from one side of something to the other.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   Interstate highways form a nationwide system of through roads.

   It is possible to use a through bolt so that the bolt will be loaded axially, but usually axial loads are only components of the total load on the bolt.

2. Finished; complete.

   Usage

   • US usage
   • not-comparable

   Examples

   They were through with laying the subroof by noon.

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   Early in the Talmudic period the service was divided between two officers. One was invited to recite the Shema including the benedictions connected with it […] After he was through, another man was invited to stand up before the pulpit facing the direction of Jerusalem to recite the prayer proper, i.e., the Amida.

3. Along the course of a task etc.; used in expressions of progress towards the end.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   It's a big job but we're halfway through.

4. Without a future; done for.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   After being implicated in the scandal, he was through as an executive in financial services.

   You chumps are tougher than you look. But I'm not through yet! Everyone! GET 'EM!!!

5. No longer interested; wearied or turned off by experience.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   She was through with him.

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   “I'm through with all pawn-games,” I laughed. “Come, let us have a game of lansquenet. Either I will take a farewell fall out of you or you will have your sevenfold revenge”.

   We’re through being cool. We’re through being cool. Eliminate the ninnies and the twits.

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   I'm worth a million in prizes / Yeah, I'm through with sleeping on the sidewalk / No more beating my brains / No more beating my brains / With the liquor and drugs / With the liquor and drugs

6. Proceeding from origin to destination without the need to change transport vehicle.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   The through flight through Memphis was the fastest.

   When is the next through train to London?

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   Also the 10.45 a.m. from Paddington by the same route is called "Through Train via Severn Tunnel," but in later years, when made up of corridor stock, it is called "Through Corridor Express via Severn Tunnel." The frequent use of "through" on the South Wales section of G.W.R. began when the Severn Tunnel route was used for through trains between Paddington and South Wales in the summer of 1887 in order to draw continual attention to the improved facilities.

7. Connected (to someone) by telephone.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   You're through to the doctor now.

8. In possession of the ball beyond the last line of defence but not necessarily the goalkeeper; through on goal.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   With the Swifts calling for offside the striker was through and only a great save from McIlravey prevented the opener.

9. (usually followed by "to") Able to progress (to the next stage or a higher level) following success in an exam, sports match, etc.

   Usage

   • Commonwealth usage
   • Ireland
   • UK usage
   • not-comparable
   • Rare
   • in Canada

   Examples

   Manchester United are through to the FA Cup Final for the thirteenth time.

Adverb

1. From one side of something to the other. By way of the interior.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   The arrow went straight through.

   I didn't like the look of the place, so I drove through without stopping.

2. From one side of something to the other. By way of an opening.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   I opened the window and climbed through.

3. From one side of something to the other. So as to overcome an obstacle and pass beyond it; past.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   The road is blocked by an overturned truck, and cars can't pass through.

   The American army broke through at Saint-Lô.

4. So as to pass a stage in a process and proceed to the next stage or level.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   The bill will be tabled tomorrow, but I doubt that it will be voted through.

   She progressed through to the final round of the competition.

5. From beginning to end, or from the present position to the end.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   Others went to bed for the night; he worked straight through.

   She read the letter through.

   More examples (2)

   The baby cried the whole night through.

   He said he would see it through.

6. Throughout something; all the way across or into something.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   Leave the yarn in the dye overnight so the color soaks through.

7. So as to connect with or reach.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   I had difficulty reaching the commander, but eventually my call was routed through.

Noun

1. A coffin, sarcophagus or tomb of stone; a large slab of stone laid on a tomb, or in a dry-stone wall from one side to the other; a perpend.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

Adjective

1. having finished or arrived at completion

   Synonyms

   donethrough with

   Examples

   certain to make history before he's done

   it's a done deed

   More examples (2)

   after the treatment, the patient is through except for follow-up

   almost through with his studies

2. (of a route or journey etc.) continuing without requiring stops or changes

   Examples

   a through street

   a through bus

   More examples (1)

   through traffic

Adverb

1. from beginning to end

   Examples

   read this book through

2. over the whole distance

   Examples

   this bus goes through to New York

3. to completion

   Examples

   think this through very carefully!

4. in diameter

   Examples

   this cylinder measures 15 inches through

5. throughout the entire extent

   Synonyms

   through and through

   Examples

   got soaked through in the rain

   I'm frozen through

   More examples (3)

   a letter shot through with the writer's personality

   knew him through and through

   boards rotten through and through