come through unscathed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come through unscathed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has emerged from a difficult situation without suffering any harm or damage. Example: "After the storm passed, the old oak tree came through unscathed, standing tall in the yard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Fingers crossed, he'll come through unscathed".

BBC

When a coworker asks for help finding his missing daughter, that reenergizes Pete in a way, but it doesn't solve his problems - and while he survives his first case, he doesn't come through unscathed.

Huffington Post

Kompany was happy to have come through unscathed.

The Guardian - Sport

China came through the downturn but, as Dailywin's difficulties suggest, it did not come through unscathed.

The New York Times

By the end, he has been "an animal blistered and sweating in the heat and pain of war", but he has come through, unscathed, and somehow made whole.

The Guardian - Books

Big businesses have fared better than small ones, but few have come through unscathed, based on interviews with the city's employers.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Germany did not come through completely unscathed.

The Guardian - Sport

I came through unscathed.

The Guardian - Sport

Todd, Hoy and O'Connor came through unscathed.

The New York Times - Sports

Even the puppies came through unscathed.

The New Yorker

It appeared they came through unscathed.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "come through unscathed" when you want to emphasize that someone or something experienced a potentially harmful situation but was not negatively affected. It adds a layer of resilience and good fortune to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "come through unscathed" when there is clear evidence of damage or negative consequences. The phrase implies a complete lack of harm, so ensure this is accurate in your context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come through unscathed" primarily functions as a predicate within a sentence. It describes the state of a subject after experiencing a potentially harmful event, indicating that the subject emerged without suffering any damage or injury. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "come through unscathed" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe successfully avoiding harm or damage in a potentially dangerous situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate and understood. While relatively rare, it appears mainly in news and media contexts. Alternative phrases like "emerge unharmed" or "survive intact" offer similar meanings. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the absence of any negative consequences to maintain clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pass through unscathed

A more literal synonym, simply replacing "come" with "pass".

escape without a scratch

Highlights the absence of even minor harm.

emerge unharmed

Focuses specifically on the absence of physical injury.

remain unaffected

Highlights a lack of change or impact from an event.

survive intact

Emphasizes that something remains complete and undamaged.

evade unscathed

Focuses on actively avoiding harm or damage.

get off scot-free

Suggests avoiding punishment or negative repercussions.

weather the storm

Uses a metaphor to describe enduring a difficult period.

come out on top

Focuses on achieving success after a challenge.

bear up well

Implies resilience and maintaining a positive state.

FAQs

How can I use "come through unscathed" in a sentence?

You can use "come through unscathed" to describe someone or something that survives a difficult or dangerous situation without being harmed. For example: "Despite the fierce storm, the old house "came through unscathed"."

What's a simple way to rephrase "come through unscathed"?

Alternatives to "come through unscathed" include "emerge unharmed", "survive intact", or "escape without a scratch". These options offer similar meanings while varying in emphasis.

Is it better to say "come through unscathed" or "come out unscathed"?

Both "come through unscathed" and "come out unscathed" are acceptable, but "come through unscathed" is slightly more common. The nuance difference is minimal, and choice often depends on stylistic preference.

What does it mean to "get off scot-free" in comparison to "come through unscathed"?

"Get off scot-free" and "come through unscathed" both imply avoiding negative consequences, but "get off scot-free" specifically refers to avoiding punishment or blame, while "come through unscathed" focuses on avoiding physical or emotional harm. A more suitable alternative is "emerge unharmed".