Sink or swim

[0551] Get through it

🎲 Bite the bullet
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • To endure, survive, or successfully complete a difficult, unpleasant, or lengthy task, experience, or period of time.

Origin

  • Simple, direct language. Get through implies movement from the beginning to the end of something challenging, passing *through* the difficulty.
  • Focuses on endurance and reaching the other side.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Endure. / Survive. / Pull through. / Make it through.
  • Weather the storm. (Implies a more severe crisis).
  • See it through. (Emphasizes completing something started).
  • Come out the other side.
  • Power through. (Get through by force of effort, perhaps quickly).

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Muddle through. (Manage to get through, perhaps inefficiently or awkwardly).
  • Grind it out. / Grind through it. (Get through by persistent effort).
  • Tough it out. (Endure stoically).
  • Just push through.
  • Hack it. (Manage to cope/endure Can you hack it?)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • Get through this shit. / Get this shit done.
  • Just fucking get through it.
  • Power through this crap.

Milder/Formal:

  • Endure this period/task.
  • See this challenge to completion.
  • Persevere until it is finished.
  • Complete the required process.

Situational Appropriateness

  • Extremely versatile. Appropriate in almost all contexts, informal to formal.
  • Suitable for minor annoyances (a boring meeting) to major life challenges (illness, grief). Extremely formal settings might prefer endure or persevere.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Very unlikely to be misunderstood due to its straightforward nature.

Examples

  • The meeting was long and boring, but we got through it.
  • I know this treatment is tough, but we'll get through it together.
  • Just focus on one day at a time, and you'll get through it.
  • We only have two more exams to get through.

Dialogue

Student A: I am absolutely dreading this final presentation. Public speaking terrifies me.

Student B: I know, it's nerve-wracking. But we've prepared well. We just have to take a deep breath and get through it. It'll be over before you know it.

Student A: You're right. Okay. Let's just focus and get through it.

Social Media Examples

  • Instagram Story: Final push on this deadline! Just gotta get through it. Coffee is my co-pilot. ☕️ #WorkGrind #Deadline #Motivation
  • Facebook Post: Sending love to everyone facing exams this week. You've worked hard, now just get through it! You've got this! 💪 #ExamSeason #GoodLuck #StudentLife

Response Patterns

  • If receiving encouragement: Thanks, I hope so. / I'll try my best. / One step at a time.
  • If someone states they got through something: Well done! / That's good. / Must be a relief. / Glad that's over for you.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

When encouraging someone:

  • Offer specific help: Let me know if you need anything while you're getting through it.
  • Reiterate support: I'm here for you.

When someone has gotten through something:

  • Ask about the experience: How was it in the end?
  • Express shared relief: Glad that's behind us.
  • Acknowledge the effort: You did great.

Conversation Starter

  • No. Used when facing or reflecting upon a difficulty or task.

Intonation

  • Emphasis usually on THROUGH. We'll get THROUGH it.
  • Can be said with determination (We just have to get THROUGH it), encouragement (You can get THROUGH it), or relief (Phew, glad we got THROUGH it).

Generation Differences

  • Used commonly by all generations.

Regional Variations

  • Universal in English.
Sink or swim
🎲 Bite the bullet