climb through

USAGE SUMMARY

"climb through" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
It can mean either physically climbing through a space, or progressing step by step through something. For example, "He had to climb through a series of complicated puzzles to make it to the finish line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It follows a gentle 120m climb through beautiful countryside – open grassland, broadleaf woods, farmland and pasture.

The Guardian - Travel

He invites me to climb through, declaring: "This is my home, come in".

BBC

I climb through, gain my footing and turn to face Chicken Boy.

Vice

There was a hatch in the tip that you could climb through, so naturally it had to become a hotbox.

Vice

Firefighters climb through flames.

The New York Times

I wanted to climb through the window and save him.

The New York Times

Unable to climb through the clouds, they threaded narrow gorges in lashing rain.

The New Yorker

The night was young, and so we continued to climb through conversations.

The Guardian

Mrs. Bura could not venture a climb through the jagged heaps of debris.

The New York Times

Visitors lined up for hours to climb through what was inevitably dubbed the "Dutch Big Mac".

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The bathroom wall had an easily climb-through-able hole in it leading to someone else's bedroom.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "climb through" to describe a physical action, ensure the object being climbed through is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "climb through" metaphorically when other verbs like "navigate" or "work through" would be more appropriate for describing progress through a process or challenge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "climb through" primarily functions as a verb phrase describing the action of moving upward or forward, often with some difficulty, by using one's hands and feet. As Ludwig AI highlights, it can be used both literally and metaphorically.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "climb through" is a versatile verb phrase primarily used to describe physically ascending or navigating an obstacle, but can also be used metaphorically. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. While grammatically sound, it's best to use it accurately, ensuring the object or challenge being climbed through is well-defined. As Ludwig examples illustrate, its register is generally neutral, appearing most frequently in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crawl through

Specifies a movement on hands and knees, implying a tight or low space.

pass through

Emphasizes the action of moving from one side to another, without necessarily implying a difficult or upward movement.

traverse

Implies crossing over or through something, often a landscape or area, and may suggest planning or difficulty.

make one's way through

Implies effort and a possible struggle to advance.

ascend via

Focuses on the act of going up and using something as a means of passage, rather than just passing through.

scale

Emphasizes the act of climbing up something, often something steep or challenging.

scramble across

Indicates a hurried and somewhat disorganized movement over something, suggesting more difficulty.

negotiate

Highlights the need to overcome obstacles while moving through an area or situation.

move across

A more general term for shifting position over a surface or area, lacking the specific implication of climbing.

work through

Refers to progressing through a task or problem, rather than a physical space.

FAQs

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

You can use "climb through" to describe the action of physically moving through an opening, like "He had to climb through the window to enter the house" or metaphorically, to describe overcoming obstacles, such as "They had to climb through numerous bureaucratic hurdles to get the project approved".

What's a good alternative to "climb through" for physical movement?

For physical movement, you can use alternatives like "crawl through", "pass through", or "squeeze through", depending on the context.

Is "climb through" appropriate for describing career advancement?

While you can use "climb through" to describe career advancement, phrases like "advance through the ranks" or "progress through" might be more suitable to avoid implying a purely physical effort.

How does "climb through" differ from "go through"?

"Go through" is a more general term for experiencing something, while "climb through" specifically suggests an upward or challenging movement, often physical. For example, you might "go through" a difficult time, but you would "climb through" a dense forest.