# break through

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/break-through
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to force a way through

phrasal verb · CEFR B2

to force your way through a physical barrier or a line of people.

For teachers: to force or make a way through a physical barrier, such as a wall, fence, or defensive line.

- The crowd managed to break through the police barriers to reach the stage.
- The infantry finally managed to break through the enemy's defensive lines after three days of heavy shelling.

Usage: Can be used transitively with an object or intransitively.

### 2. to achieve success

phrasal verb · CEFR B2

to become successful or famous after working hard for a long time.

For teachers: to achieve success or recognition in a particular field, especially after a period of struggle or obscurity.

- The young actress is hoping to break through in Hollywood this year.
- Despite years of performing in small clubs, the band didn't break through to a mainstream audience until their third album.

Usage: Often used intransitively or with the preposition 'to'.

### 3. to overcome a problem

phrasal verb · CEFR B2

to find a way to deal with a difficult problem or a mental barrier.

For teachers: to overcome a psychological, social, or technical obstacle that has been preventing progress.

- Scientists are working hard to break through the difficulties of curing the disease.
- The therapist helped him break through his emotional walls and finally talk about his past.

### 4. light appearing

phrasal verb · CEFR B2

when the sun or moon appears from behind clouds.

For teachers: to appear or become visible by passing through a covering, typically used for light or celestial bodies.

- The sun started to break through the clouds just as we reached the top.
- A few rays of moonlight managed to break through the thick canopy of the forest, lighting the path ahead.

Usage: Usually takes 'through' followed by the obstruction (e.g., clouds, mist).

## Examples

- The sun finally managed to break through the thick clouds.
- Scientists are hoping to break through with a new treatment for the disease after years of research.
- The protesters managed to break through the police lines, surging toward the parliament building in a display of collective frustration.

## Usage notes

- Teaching tip: distinguish between the phrasal verb and the noun 'breakthrough'; the verb often takes an object when physical, but can be intransitive when describing a discovery.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.