to break through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'to break through' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a breakthrough or achievement, especially when it is an accomplishment made with difficulty. For example, "With her hard work and dedication, she was able to break through the glass ceiling and reach the top of her career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It's easier to break through now.

The New York Times

"We weren't able to break through," Girardi said.

The New York Times - Sports

"The human started to break through," Mr. Sundsbo said.

The New York Times

It was tough for him to break through before.

The New York Times

The lower-league filter is harder to break through now.

Independent

It's a much harder environment to break through in".

The New York Times

He needs to break through our opponents lines".

The Guardian - Sport

"They need to break through now.

BBC

Something has to break through".

The New York Times

I kept expecting her to break through.

The New York Times - Sports

"We expect it to break through".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In marketing contexts, use it to describe an advertisement or message that successfully reaches consumers despite heavy competition (e.g., "breaking through the noise").

Common error

Do not confuse the phrasal verb "to break through" (two words) with the noun "breakthrough" (one word). Use the two-word form when describing the action: "They need to break through the line." Use the single word for the result: "It was a significant breakthrough."

Linguistic Context

As observed in Ludwig, the phrase "to break through" acts as an infinitive phrasal verb. It can function both intransitively (to achieve a success) and transitively (to pass through a specific obstacle). In many cases, it serves as the core action of a sentence describing progression against resistance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Sports

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "to break through" is a powerful and versatile English phrasal verb used to describe the act of overcoming barriers. Whether used literally (as in breaking through a physical wall) or metaphorically (as in breaking through a glass ceiling or a language barrier), it conveys a sense of hard-won progress. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is exceptionally common in professional journalism and sports reporting. Writers should be careful to use the two-word form for the action and the single-word "breakthrough" for the resulting achievement. By using this phrase, you can effectively communicate resilience and the successful navigation of complex challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to make a breakthrough

A noun-based idiomatic alternative that emphasizes the achievement itself.

to penetrate

More formal and often used to describe physical movement into a space or market.

to cut through

Specifically used when dealing with noise, clutter, or complex bureaucracy.

to overcome

Focuses more on the resolution of the obstacle rather than the act of passing through it.

to push past

Emphasizes the physical or mental effort required to move beyond a hindrance.

to crack

Often used for breaking through a defense, code, or a difficult person's silence.

to surge through

Adds a connotation of speed and power to the movement.

to smash through

Implies a more forceful or violent destruction of the barrier.

to prevail over

Highly formal, focusing on victory rather than the literal path taken.

to bypass

Suggests going around an obstacle rather than going through it.

FAQs

How do I use "to break through" in a sentence?

You use it to describe overcoming a physical or metaphorical barrier. For example, "The athlete was finally able <a href="/s/to+break+through" target="_blank" rel="alternative">to break through the opponent's defense."

What can I say instead of "to break through"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/to+penetrate" target="_blank" rel="alternative">to penetrate", "<a href="/s/to+overcome" target="_blank" rel="alternative">to overcome", or "<a href="/s/to+cut+through" target="_blank" rel="alternative">to cut through".

Is "to break through" formal enough for business writing?

Yes, it is widely accepted in business and journalism. It is often used to describe market entry or overcoming industry challenges. A more formal alternative might be "<a href="/s/to+surpass" target="_blank" rel="alternative">to surpass" or "<a href="/s/to+penetrate" target="_blank" rel="alternative">to penetrate".

What's the difference between "to break through" and "to break in"?

While "to break through" implies overcoming a barrier to reach a goal, "<a href="/s/to+break+in" target="_blank" rel="alternative">to break in" usually refers to forced entry or beginning a new routine.