managed to pull through

USAGE SUMMARY

'managed to pull through' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's difficult experience that nevertheless ended in success. For example: Despite being severely injured in the car accident, John managed to pull through.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"It was a complicated situation on my serve in the first set, but I managed to pull through," Nadal said.

The New York Times - Sports

"A lot of the guys in the group are laid off, but they managed to pull through and give a toy".

The New York Times

We chose the worst night of the year but managed to pull through!

BBC

"I'm surprised we managed to pull through it," he said in a recent interview at the site, "but we're still struggling".

The New York Times

"I had a big crash in practice on Friday but we managed to pull through for the race.

BBC

Goalkeeper Sean O'Neill said he "thought that was it when we down to ten men" but "we managed to pull through".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Republicans ran the table in toss-up gubernatorial elections Tuesday, with incumbent governors managing to pull through tight reelection races in Kansas, Michigan, Ohio, Maine, and Florida. .

Vice

Compaq was at $23.50 in pre-market trading, up from yesterday's close of $20.05, after managing to pull through with fourth-quarter profits that beat Wall Street forecasts.

Forbes

I don't care if you succeed or fail, if you are Bill Gates or an unknown entrepreneur who gave everything to make it work but didn't manage to pull through.

TechCrunch

"Fortunately I managed to pull myself through that and put some decent training in, and I managed to get myself in the situation where I could win the Worlds and it's just great".

BBC

RSPCA Inspector Jonathan Phipps said: "We eventually managed to pull her through a hole we'd made under the steps and coaxed her to come towards us with a can of tuna but it was certainly a struggle getting her out.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation where success was highly improbable, consider using "managed to pull through against all odds" for added emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "managed to pull through" in situations that were only mildly challenging. The phrase implies a significant struggle, so use it when the difficulty was substantial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "managed to pull through" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating the successful completion of a difficult or challenging situation. It expresses the ability to overcome obstacles, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "managed to pull through" is a versatile phrase used to express successful navigation of difficult situations. While grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media, according to Ludwig, it’s essential to reserve it for scenarios that genuinely involve a struggle to avoid overstating the difficulty. Alternatives such as "overcame adversity" or "weathered the storm" may be more suitable in certain contexts. By understanding its nuances and appropriate usage, you can effectively communicate resilience and positive outcomes in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pulled it off against the odds

Highlights the improbability of success.

came out on top

Focuses on achieving a victorious outcome despite challenges.

persevered and succeeded

Emphasizes both the effort and the positive result.

made it through

A more straightforward way of saying someone overcame a difficult time, less emphatic than "managed to pull through".

successfully navigated

Implies skillful handling of a difficult situation, focusing on the process rather than just the outcome.

triumphed over

Implies a significant victory after a struggle.

overcame adversity

Highlights the challenging circumstances that were conquered.

survived and thrived

Suggests not only surviving but also flourishing after a difficult time.

weathered the storm

Uses a metaphorical description of enduring a difficult period.

coped successfully

Focuses on the act of managing the situation, indicating a controlled handling of challenges.

FAQs

How can I use "managed to pull through" in a sentence?

You can use "managed to pull through" to describe someone or something that successfully overcame a difficult situation. For instance, "Despite the severe economic downturn, the company "managed to pull through" and remained profitable".

What are some alternatives to "managed to pull through"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "overcame adversity", "weathered the storm", or "came out on top".

Is it appropriate to use "managed to pull through" in formal writing?

While "managed to pull through" is generally acceptable, consider using a more formal alternative like "successfully navigated" or "overcame" in academic or business contexts.

What's the difference between "managed to pull through" and "survived"?

"Survived" simply means to continue living or existing, while "managed to pull through" implies successfully overcoming a difficult situation. The latter suggests a struggle and a positive resolution. "The patient survived the surgery" vs "The patient "managed to pull through" the surgery despite complications".