breɪk θruː
neutral
intermediate
- Base verb:
- break
- Particle:
- through
- Separable:
- No
What does "break through" mean?
- To force a way through a barrier or obstacle
- To achieve success after struggling
- To make a sudden important discovery or advancement
- To overcome resistance or difficulties
Examples
- Protesters broke through the police barriers.
- After years of struggle, she finally broke through in the music industry.
- Scientists have broken through in cancer research.
- The sun broke through the clouds in the afternoon.
- The company broke through into the Asian market.
How to use it
'Breakthrough' (noun) refers to an important discovery or achievement. Very common in scientific, business, and career contexts to describe major successes.
Similar expressions
penetrate
overcome
succeed
advance
emerge
Opposites
fail
give up
retreat
Related phrasal verbs
- break up
To end a romantic relationship
- break down
To stop working or functioning (machines, vehicles)
- break out
To start suddenly (war, fire, disease, fighting)
- break into
To enter a building illegally by force
- break in
To enter a building illegally, usually by force
- break off
To separate a piece from something by breaking
Use it in a practice answer
Try "break through" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.