plow through

USAGE SUMMARY

"plow through" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to work through something vigorously and with determination. One can use it when talking about completing a task or overcoming a challenge. Example: She had a lot of assignments to finish before the end of the semester, but she was determined to plow through them all and get good grades.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Greece has to plow through.

The New York Times

Jocks plow through.

The New York Times - Sports

No trying to plow through people.

The New York Times

Does the driver want me to plow through the people; for that matter, would he plow through?

The New York Times

A few bicycle rickshaws plow through powdery roads.

The New York Times

Bulldozers plow through the greenery to create corridors for extraction.

The New York Times - Science

However, this woman has had a heck of a lot of crazy legislation to plow through.

The New York Times

By comparison, Wilson needed precisely that many to plow through three scoreless innings.

The New York Times - Sports

And you can't plow through the crowds with a video camera in your hand.

The New York Times

Readers willing to plow through it will learn about a fascinating historical background.

The New York Times - Arts

Athletes are conditioned to fight through the pain, to plow through mental and physical barriers.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "plow through" to describe reading or studying, consider the reader's perspective. Is the material genuinely challenging, or simply long? If the latter, alternatives like "work through" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "plow through" when a more nuanced verb would better capture the action. For instance, saying "I enjoyed" or "I savored" a good meal is preferable to saying "I plowed through it" unless you intend to suggest you consumed the meal quickly without enjoying it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plow through" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used transitively. It signifies the act of moving forcefully through something, whether physically or metaphorically. Ludwig examples showcase its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "plow through" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase signifying determined progress through a substantial task or obstacle. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and Ludwig's examples illustrate its common application across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, consider the nuance you wish to convey: While "plow through" emphasizes force and resolve, alternatives like "work through" or "push through" may be more suitable depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bulldoze through

Like "plow through" but usually more aggressive and less considerate.

power through

Implies using significant strength or energy.

push through

Emphasizes effort and overcoming resistance.

get through

Highlights completion or survival.

muscle through

Similar to power through, but less elegant.

work through

Focuses on methodically dealing with something.

forge ahead

Focuses on continuous forward progress despite obstacles.

battle through

Suggests facing a difficult struggle.

break through

Highlights achieving a significant advancement.

hack through

Suggests a rough or inefficient approach.

FAQs

How to use "plow through" in a sentence?

You can use "plow through" to describe dealing with a large quantity of something, like "I had to plow through a mountain of paperwork". It can also describe physical movement, such as "The snowplow had to plow through several feet of snow".

What can I say instead of "plow through"?

You can use alternatives like "push through", "work through", or "get through" depending on the context.

Is it ever appropriate to use "bulldoze through" instead of "plow through"?

While similar, "bulldoze through" carries a connotation of being forceful and perhaps inconsiderate. It is appropriate when emphasizing aggressive, unstoppable progress, whereas "plow through" can simply mean working diligently through something.

What's the difference between "plow through" and "slog through"?

"Plow through" suggests a forceful, continuous action, while "slog through" implies slow, arduous progress, often with difficulty or resistance.