heytardy
Log inGet started

come through — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb3 meanings
come through
1survive a difficult situation2water seeps through3succeed in a difficult situation

Meaning 1 · most common

survive a difficult situation

  • come through sth

to manage to survive or recover after a tough or dangerous experience.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

After a long battle with the disease, she finally came through and is feeling much better now.

A: I heard your brother was in a car accident. Is he okay?
B: Yeah, it was serious, but he came through and he's recovering at home.

Common mistake

Not: He came through from the operation well.

Say: He came through the operation well.

'Come through' takes the ordeal directly — no 'from'.

More on “survive a difficult situation”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

When my grandmother was very sick last year, we were all worried, but she came through and is now back to her normal routine.

Tell it apart

She came through the surgery fine.

  • survived it

The message came through clearly.

  • was received

Goes with

  • come through + ordeal
Practice saying this
Next meaning: water seeps through

Meaning 2

water seeps through

  • sth is coming through sth

When water or damp passes or seeps through a wall, ceiling or roof into a room.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

There's a leak upstairs and water's coming through the kitchen ceiling.

A: Why is the wall wet?
B: Damp's been coming through since the storm.

Common mistake

Not: Water is coming inside from the ceiling.

Say: Water is coming through the ceiling.

Use 'come through' for water passing through a surface, not 'come inside from'.

More on “water seeps through”Another example · Tell it apart · Tip

Another example

Water's coming through the ceiling — can you take a look? (casual)
Water is coming through the ceiling; could someone look into it, please? (polite)

Tell it apart

Water's coming through the ceiling.

  • seeping through a surface

She came through the operation fine.

  • survived it — sense
Practice saying this
Next meaning: succeed in a difficult situation

Meaning 3

succeed in a difficult situation

  • come through for sb/in sth

to do what is needed or expected, especially when it is difficult or important.

How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

I was really counting on my team, and they came through with a great presentation.

A: Did you manage to finish the report on time?
B: Yeah, I was stressed, but I came through and submitted it before the deadline.

Common mistake

Not: He came through the project on time.

Say: He came through on the project. / He came through for us.

You 'come through for' someone or 'come through on' something — not 'come through' the thing directly.

More on “succeed in a difficult situation”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In group projects, it's important to have members who always come through when things get tough.

Tell it apart

I knew you'd come through for us.

  • delivered when needed

We came through the storm unharmed.

  • survived it

Goes with

  • come through (for/on)
Practice saying this
Test yourself: which one is it?
Spot the meaning

Which one is it?

Read the sentence, then pick the meaning that's in play.

Turn this into speaking practice

Pick a meaning and say it out loud. Save the ones you mix up.

survive a difficult situationwater seeps throughsucceed in a difficult situation