limp through

USAGE SUMMARY

"limp through" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiomatic phrase which means to "power through despite difficulties or obstacles". For example, "I limped through the project despite not having enough time or resources".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The country might even limp through to the next one.

The Economist

Then he jogged without a limp through pitchers' fielding drills.

The New York Times

"You might limp through life on one leg.

The New York Times

Now, he added, "even damaged candidates can limp through because it's gotten so partisan".

The New York Times

The government can probably limp through to the next general election without a functioning advisory council.

The Guardian - Opinion

The city can probably limp through its current fiscal year, which ends next June 30.

The New York Times

He appeared to limp through his victory lap at Stadio Olimpico.

The New York Times - Sports

Ultimately, he said, people in the community donated enough paper so that "we were able to limp through the year".

The New York Times

While able to limp through the end of residency on treatment, I relapsed, underwent chemo and endured a prolonged hospitalisation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The remnants of its squad limped through.

The New York Times - Sports

I was exhausted, limping through the days.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "limp through" to describe a situation where progress is being made, but with considerable difficulty or reduced effectiveness. It often implies a temporary or less-than-ideal solution.

Common error

Avoid using "limp through" when you want to convey smooth or efficient progress. The phrase inherently suggests difficulty and imperfection. If you mean efficient process use other synonyms of "manage to do efficiently".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "limp through" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe how someone or something manages to proceed or survive a difficult period or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and usable. The given examples show its use across diverse contexts to describe the act of progressing with difficulty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "limp through" is a grammatically sound and frequently used idiomatic expression that effectively conveys the idea of managing to proceed or survive a challenging situation, often with difficulty and imperfection. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread applicability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase serves to express resilience and endurance. When writing, use "limp through" to describe progress made despite significant obstacles, but consider more formal alternatives like "persevere through" for academic or highly professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

struggle through

Highlights the effort and difficulty involved in progressing.

make it through

Emphasizes the successful completion of a challenging experience.

scrape by

Implies managing to survive or succeed with very little.

muddle through

Suggests moving forward in a confused or disorganized manner, but still making progress.

get by

Indicates managing to live or cope with just enough resources or ability.

eke out

Focuses on obtaining or achieving something with great difficulty.

squeak through

Suggests a narrow escape or success achieved by a small margin.

barely manage

Implies achieving something with minimal effort or resources.

get over

Focuses on overcoming a difficulty or obstacle.

fumble through

Implies awkwardly or clumsily managing to do something.

FAQs

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

"Limp through" is used to describe managing to proceed despite difficulties. For instance, "The company managed to limp through the financial crisis".

What is an alternative to "limp through"?

You could use "struggle through", "scrape by", or "muddle through" depending on the specific context.

What does "limp through" mean in a business context?

In business, "limp through" often suggests that a company is surviving a difficult period, such as a recession, but not thriving. It implies that they are just managing to stay afloat.

Is it appropriate to use "limp through" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "limp through" might be too informal for certain academic or highly professional contexts. Consider alternatives like "persevere through" or "navigate with difficulty" for a more formal tone.