wɜːrk θruː
neutral
intermediate
- Base verb:
- work
- Particle:
- through
- Separable:
- No
What does "work through" mean?
- To deal with a problem or difficult situation by discussing or thinking about it
- To complete something methodically from beginning to end
- To continue working during a break or meal
Examples
- They're working through their marriage problems with a counsellor.
- Let's work through these exercises together.
- I worked through lunch to finish the report.
- She needs time to work through her grief.
- We'll work through the issues one by one.
How to use it
Common in therapy and counselling contexts for processing emotions. Also used in educational settings for completing exercises systematically. 'Work through lunch' means to skip lunch and keep working.
Similar expressions
resolve
process
complete
overcome
handle
Opposites
avoid
ignore
abandon
Related phrasal verbs
- work out
To exercise to improve fitness
- work on
To spend time and effort trying to improve or complete something
- work up
To develop or create something gradually
- work off
To get rid of something unwanted by working or exercising
- get through
To successfully complete or finish something difficult
- go through
To experience something difficult or unpleasant
Use it in a practice answer
Try "work through" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.