see through

phrasal verb·3 senses·particle through

Meanings

1

Help someone survive a hard period

Enduranceuncommon

Why “through”? You continue during a hard time until it ends.

A small loan saw us through the winter.
A small loan helped us survive the winter.
Their savings saw them through the strike.
Their savings helped them survive the strike.
2

Recognise the truth behind a deception

Why “through”? You check each part from start to finish.

I saw through his lies.
I recognised the truth behind his lies.
She saw through the fake apology.
She recognised the truth behind the fake apology.
I could see through his lies right away.
I could immediately recognise the truth behind his lies.
3

Continue with a difficult task to its end

Why “through”? You start a task and keep going to the end. You finish the whole thing.

She saw the project through.
She continued the project to its end.
He saw the court case through to the end.
He continued the court case to its end.
She vowed to see the project through.
She vowed to stay with the project until it was finished.

Don't confuse with

see throughsee over

See through means help someone survive a hard period. See over means visit a property or place to inspect it carefully.

Test yourself

A small loan saw us through the winter. What does it mean?

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