Meaning trap
get through
emotionally reach
To succeed in making someone understand or be emotionally affected by what you are saying or doing, especially when it is difficult for them to accept or respond.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To succeed in making someone understand or be emotionally affected by what you are saying or doing, especially when it is difficult for them to accept or respond.
'get through' also has the more basic meaning 'finish a difficult task'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't get through to her teenage son.
In some cases, teachers struggle to get through to students who are disengaged, despite using a variety of teaching methods.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: I can't get through him.
Say: I can't get through to him.
For reaching someone emotionally, you need 'get through TO' them.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Get through to someone' is the natural phrase for reaching them emotionally; the formal version is a counselling note.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
get through to + person
- to him
- to her
- somehow
- at all
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- get through (finish a difficult task) — 'get through' also has the more basic meaning 'finish a difficult task'; this is the advanced sense.