didn't come through

USAGE SUMMARY

'didn't come through' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when something has not been successful or when a person has not been able to do what was intended. For example, "We had planned for him to come to the meeting, but unfortunately he didn't come through."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We got the opportunities and didn't come through," Alomar said.

The New York Times - Sports

(When God didn't come through, the governor sought aid from the federal government, which did).

The New Yorker

If the money didn't come through, he said, it would mean curtains for the project.

The New York Times

"So many times we didn't come through and play at the best of our ability," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was angry with her because she offered me something and then didn't come through," Ms. Schnurnberger said.

The New York Times - Style

One week their benefits didn't come through and they applied for – "This sounds very dramatic" – a hardship loan.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Freeman, a rookie of the year contender who failed twice with runners in scoring position, said: "I didn't come through tonight.

The New York Times - Sports

"We've tried through ingenuity and creative ideas to make sure residents do not feel that which didn't come through," Mr. Small said.

The New York Times

"The game was like a chess match, and we just didn't come through well with energy," Islanders defenseman Eric Cairns said.

The New York Times - Sports

That deal didn't come through, but the lawyer later brought other business to her client.

BBC

"When they relied on the U.S. State Department, they didn't come through, either," said Sabur.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the nuance of "didn't come through" versus alternatives. It often implies a degree of disappointment or unmet potential, making it suitable when that specific connotation is intended.

Common error

While "didn't come through" is versatile, avoid overusing it in highly formal or technical writing. In such contexts, more precise and sophisticated vocabulary might be more appropriate such as "failed to deliver" or "fell short".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "didn't come through" functions as a predicate in sentences, indicating a failure to meet an expectation, promise, or standard. It is commonly used to express disappointment or lack of success, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sports

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "didn't come through" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a failure to meet expectations or fulfill a commitment. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Sports contexts, the phrase is versatile enough for both formal and informal communication, though more sophisticated vocabulary might be preferred in highly formal settings. Consider alternatives like "failed to deliver" or "fell short" for increased precision or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

didn't live up to expectations

Focuses on the disappointment of not meeting anticipated standards.

failed to deliver

Emphasizes a failure to provide something promised or expected.

fell short

Suggests a failure to reach a required standard or level.

let down

Implies a sense of disappointment or betrayal due to a failure to fulfill expectations.

didn't measure up

Indicates a failure to meet expectations or a required level of performance.

proved inadequate

Highlights the insufficiency or unsuitability of something for a particular purpose.

was unsuccessful

Simply states the lack of success in achieving a desired outcome.

reneged on the promise

Suggests the revocation of a deal.

disappointed

Suggests the failure to provide a pleasant experience.

failed to materialize

Refers to something not happening.

FAQs

What does "didn't come through" mean?

The phrase "didn't come through" means that someone or something failed to fulfill expectations, deliver on a promise, or succeed in a particular situation.

How can I use "didn't come through" in a sentence?

You can use "didn't come through" to describe a person's failure to perform, a plan that failed to materialize, or a resource that "didn't prove to be available".

What are some alternatives to "didn't come through"?

Alternatives include "failed to deliver", "fell short", "didn't live up to expectations", and "let down". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "didn't come through" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "didn't come through" might be too informal for highly formal or technical contexts. Consider using alternatives like "failed to deliver" or "proved inadequate" in such situations.