1.
to pass an exam or finish a hard task
“She got through her final exam.”
“Did you get through the test?”
“I need to get through this chapter tonight.”
Synonyms: to pass, to succeed in
Phrasal verb
What does get through mean?
Meaning: to pass an exam; to survive a difficult time
B1
This page for:
Quick answer
Get through = to pass an exam or to survive a difficult time. I got through the exam = I passed the exam. It also means to reach someone by phone: I can't get through to her. It is not separable.
Meanings of the phrasal verb
2.
to survive a difficult time
figurative“We'll get through this together.”
“How did you get through such a hard time?”
Synonyms: to overcome, to survive
3.
to reach someone by phone
common“I can't get through to my mum.”
“The line was busy; I couldn't get through.”
Synonyms: to reach, to contact
Word order
Inseparable
The object goes after the particle, never between the verb and the particle.
Forms
- Present Simple:
- get through
- Past Simple:
- got through
- Past participle:
- got through (UK) / gotten through (US)
- -ing form:
- getting through
Common mistakes to avoid
Get through or pass?
Get through shows effort: it was difficult. Pass simply means you were successful. I got through the exam (it was hard, but I did it) / I passed the exam (I was successful). The meanings are close, but not the same.
Get through to + a person
To mean “reach someone by phone” or “make someone understand”, use get through to + a person. I finally got through to him ✓. Never I got through him ❌.
Practice quiz
Question 1 / 3The Big Challenge question bank
Related pages: get through
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
What's next?
Get through: you understand the rule. Now practise it.
Understanding a rule is only the first step. On PLAY, you use it in real situations, at your own pace, until it becomes automatic.
Practise “get through” on PLAYFree · No sign-up · 3 minutes
For teachersGet through: a ready-to-use lesson sequence
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English contestGet through: often tested in the English contest
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Frequently asked questions
What does get through mean?+
Get through has three meanings: (1) to pass an exam (get through the test); (2) to survive a difficult time (get through hard times); (3) to reach someone by phone (get through to someone).
What is the difference between get through and go through?+
Go through = to pass through a place, or to live something hard (go through pain). Get through = to come out of it successfully (get through it). Get through tells you the end is good.
Is get through separable?+
No, it is not separable. Get through the exam ✓ / Get the exam through ❌. With a pronoun: get through it ✓.
What is the past simple of get through?+
Got through. She got through her driving test = she passed it. They got through the storm = they survived the storm.
What does get through to someone mean?+
It has two meanings: (1) to reach someone by phone; (2) to make someone understand you. I can't get through to him = he doesn't answer the phone, or he doesn't listen to me.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/phrasal-verbs/get-through
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.