come through
Succeed or survive difficulty
Literalmente: to move from one side of an opening to the other
Em 15 segundos
- Doing what is needed in a difficult or important situation.
- Delivering on a promise when it matters the most.
- The successful arrival of expected news, money, or results.
Significado
When someone 'comes through,' they do exactly what they promised or what was needed, especially during a difficult or stressful situation.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Thanking a friend for a favor
I knew I could count on you to come through with the truck today.
I knew I could count on you to help with the truck today.
Discussing a work project
The design team really came through on the final presentation.
The design team really succeeded on the final presentation.
Waiting for official news
My visa finally came through after three months of waiting!
My visa was finally approved after three months of waiting!
Contexto cultural
In American culture, 'coming through in the clutch' is a highly prized trait, especially in sports like basketball and baseball. It defines a person's character as being 'cool under fire.' British speakers often use 'come through' in the context of surviving difficult periods, reflecting the historical 'Keep Calm and Carry On' attitude. In global business, 'coming through' is often used in performance reviews to distinguish 'high potentials' from average employees. On platforms like TikTok or Twitter, 'come through' is often used to praise someone's fashion or aesthetic ('The outfit is coming through!').
Use it in Interviews
When asked about your strengths, say 'I'm known for coming through when the team is under pressure.' It sounds professional and reliable.
Don't Overuse with 'It'
Avoid saying 'It came through' without a clear subject. Always specify if it's a message, a person, or a result.
Em 15 segundos
- Doing what is needed in a difficult or important situation.
- Delivering on a promise when it matters the most.
- The successful arrival of expected news, money, or results.
What It Means
Imagine you are in a tight spot and need help. Come through means someone delivers exactly what you need at the right moment. It is about reliability and success under pressure. It is like a hero arriving just in time to save the day. You use it when someone fulfills a commitment or produces a result.
How To Use It
You can use it as a phrasal verb. Usually, the person is the subject: "He came through for me." You can also talk about things like news or results. For example, "The test results finally came through." It implies a process that took time or effort. It feels active and positive.
When To Use It
Use it when a friend helps you move apartments at the last minute. Use it when your boss approves a vacation request you really wanted. It is perfect for texting a friend who brought snacks to the party. Use it when a legal document or a bank transfer is finally completed. It works whenever a positive outcome follows a period of waiting or doubt.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for simple, everyday actions that require no effort. If someone passes you the salt, they did not come through. Avoid using it if the person failed or let you down. It is strictly for successful outcomes. Do not use it in very stiff, legal contracts where executed or completed is preferred. It is too warm for a cold legal document.
Cultural Background
This phrase carries a strong sense of loyalty and dependability. In American culture, being someone who comes through is a high compliment. It suggests you are a person of your word. It likely evolved from the idea of passing through a barrier or a struggle. It became very popular in sports and business during the 20th century.
Common Variations
You will often hear come through in the clutch. This is a sports metaphor for performing well under extreme pressure. Another one is come through with the goods. This means providing exactly what was expected or promised. Sometimes people just say "You really came through!" as a standalone thank you. It is a powerful way to show appreciation.
Notas de uso
The phrase is highly versatile and fits almost any social or professional situation. Just remember that it carries an emotional weight of 'relief'—use it when the outcome was important.
Use it in Interviews
When asked about your strengths, say 'I'm known for coming through when the team is under pressure.' It sounds professional and reliable.
Don't Overuse with 'It'
Avoid saying 'It came through' without a clear subject. Always specify if it's a message, a person, or a result.
Pair with 'Clutch'
To sound like a native speaker in sports contexts, use the phrase 'come through in the clutch.'
Gratitude Nuance
Saying 'You came through' is a higher form of praise than 'You helped me.' It acknowledges the effort and the risk of failure.
Exemplos
6I knew I could count on you to come through with the truck today.
I knew I could count on you to help with the truck today.
Shows appreciation for a specific helpful action.
The design team really came through on the final presentation.
The design team really succeeded on the final presentation.
Professional praise for meeting a deadline or standard.
My visa finally came through after three months of waiting!
My visa was finally approved after three months of waiting!
Used for documents or processes that are finally completed.
You really came through with these tacos, man.
You really did a great job bringing these tacos.
Casual and enthusiastic appreciation.
The pizza delivery guy came through in the clutch right before kickoff.
The pizza guy arrived just in time before the game started.
Uses a sports metaphor for a funny, low-stakes situation.
We are confident that our partners will come through with the funding.
We are confident that our partners will provide the funding.
Neutral but professional expectation of success.
Teste-se
Fill in the blank with the correct preposition (for/with/in).
I was so worried about the presentation, but my partner really came through ______ some great slides at the last minute.
We use 'with' when referring to the specific thing that was delivered.
Which sentence uses 'come through' to mean 'survive'?
Select the correct option:
In this context, 'came through' means they lived through and finished a dangerous period.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: 'I can't believe you managed to get us a table at this restaurant!' B: '_________________'
This is a natural way to accept a compliment for doing a favor.
Match the sense of 'come through' to the situation.
Situation: A student finally receives their university acceptance letter.
When documents or approvals arrive, we use the 'official arrival' sense.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Through vs. Across
Common Collocations
With (Things)
- • the money
- • the results
- • the tickets
For (People)
- • his family
- • the team
- • me
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosI was so worried about the presentation, but my partner really came through ______ some great slides at the last minute.
We use 'with' when referring to the specific thing that was delivered.
Select the correct option:
In this context, 'came through' means they lived through and finished a dangerous period.
A: 'I can't believe you managed to get us a table at this restaurant!' B: '_________________'
This is a natural way to accept a compliment for doing a favor.
Situation: A student finally receives their university acceptance letter.
When documents or approvals arrive, we use the 'official arrival' sense.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasUsually no. It almost always has a positive connotation of success or survival. You wouldn't say 'He came through with the bad news' unless the news was expected and necessary.
Use 'for' for people (He came through for me). Use 'to' only in the literal sense of movement (He came through to the kitchen).
It is better for an interview. On a resume, use 'Delivered key results under pressure' or 'Consistently met tight deadlines.'
It means the results were processed and are now available for you to see.
It's better to say 'I got through the exam' or 'I passed the exam.' 'Come through' implies a more dangerous or life-changing ordeal.
The 'reliability' meaning is neutral. The 'visit me' meaning (e.g., 'Come through to my house') is slang.
'Pull through' is almost always about health or a very narrow escape from total disaster.
Yes, if it performs well in a crisis. 'The old generator really came through during the blackout.'
No. 'The team was losing, but in the end, they came through.' This is perfectly correct.
It depends on the tense. 'He always comes through' (present) vs 'He came through yesterday' (past).
Frases relacionadas
pull through
similarTo survive a very dangerous situation or illness.
deliver the goods
synonymTo do what is expected or promised.
step up
builds onTo take responsibility in a difficult time.
make good on
similarTo fulfill a promise or debt.
fall short
contrastTo fail to meet expectations.
