break through

USAGE SUMMARY

"break through" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to someone or something that manages to make progress and accomplish something despite difficulty or opposition. For example: "The team was finally able to break through and win the championship game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Communication

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Finland cannot break through!

The New York Times

"It's easier to break through now.

The New York Times

"We couldn't break through," he said.

The New York Times

Break through!

TechCrunch

"They need to break through now.

BBC

Break through with Arriba Puyol!

The New York Times - Sports

Test, probe, counter, break through.

The New York Times - Sports

Something has to break through".

The New York Times

But he'll break through".

The New York Times - Sports

I kept expecting her to break through.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This is your break-through moment.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "break through" to describe overcoming a significant barrier or achieving a notable success. It is suitable for both literal and figurative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "break through" passively when an active construction would be more direct and impactful. For example, prefer "The company broke through the market" over "The market was broken through by the company."

How to use

Learn how to use "break through" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "break through" primarily functions as a verb indicating the act of overcoming an obstacle, barrier, or resistance, leading to a significant advancement or success. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable structure in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

30%

General Communication

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "break through" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe overcoming obstacles and achieving success. While grammatically correct and usable as confirmed by Ludwig AI, its frequency is uncommon. Predominantly found in news, sports, and general communication contexts, this expression effectively conveys the idea of making significant progress or advancements. Remember to use it actively for greater impact and consider contextually appropriate alternatives like "penetrate" or "overcome" to enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieve a breakthrough

More formal and emphasizes a significant advancement or discovery.

penetrate

Focuses on the act of entering or passing through something, often implying force or difficulty.

push through

Suggests effort and determination in overcoming resistance.

overcome

Highlights the act of successfully dealing with or defeating a challenge or obstacle.

surmount

Similar to overcome, but suggests a more significant or elevated barrier.

advance

Emphasizes forward progress, especially after overcoming an initial resistance.

make headway

Indicates progress being made, often slowly or with difficulty.

forge ahead

Implies moving forward with determination and persistence, often in the face of obstacles.

triumph

Focuses on the successful outcome after a struggle or challenge.

smash through

Highlights the use of force to overcome an obstacle or barrier.

FAQs

How can I use "break through" in a sentence?

Use "break through" to describe overcoming an obstacle, achieving a significant success, or making a notable advancement. For example, "The scientist managed to "achieve a breakthrough" in cancer research" or "The team needed to "push through" the opposing defense to score."

What are some alternatives to "break through"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "penetrate", "overcome", "advance", or "make headway".

Is it correct to say "break through the barrier"?

Yes, "break through the barrier" is a correct and common usage of the phrase, indicating the act of overcoming a specific obstacle or impediment.

What does it mean to "break through" in a figurative sense?

Figuratively, "break through" means to achieve success or recognition after a period of struggle or obscurity. It can refer to gaining popularity, making a significant discovery, or overcoming a personal challenge.