put through — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb2 meanings

put through

connect by phone make someone experience something difficult

Meaning 1 · most common

connect by phone

put sb through to sb

to connect someone to another person on the phone, usually by transferring the call.

How oftenNow and then

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

Could you put me through to the manager, please?

A: Hi, can I speak to Dr. Lee?
B: Sure, I'll put you through now.

Common mistake

Not: Can you put me through ~~with~~ accounts?

Say: Can you put me through to accounts?

'Put someone THROUGH TO' a person/department — not 'with'.

More on “connect by phone”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

During my internship, I often answered calls and put customers through to the right department.

Tell it apart

I'll put you through to her.

connect your call now

I'll pass your message on to her.

relay it later

Goes with

put + someone + through

Practice saying this

Next meaning: make someone experience something difficult

Meaning 2

make someone experience something difficult

put sb through sth

to make someone experience something unpleasant or challenging, often over a period of time.

How oftenCommon

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

She really put her parents through a lot when she was a teenager.

A: I heard your team had to work all weekend.
B: Yeah, our boss put us through some tough deadlines.

Common mistake

Not: Sorry for putting you through of this.

Say: Sorry for putting you through this.

'Put someone through' + the hardship — no 'of'.

More on “make someone experience something difficult”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Many students feel that final exams put them through a great deal of stress.

Tell it apart

He put me through hell.

made me endure it

I went through hell.

experienced it myself

Goes with

put + someone + through

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.

connect by phone make someone experience something difficult