come through - phrasal verb

come through

meaning and examples

The phrasal verb “come through” has many different meanings. You can use it when talking about a successful situation. It’s used when something is noticed. A person or thing comes through a particular area when traveling or moving. 

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  • The team came through with a goal at the very end of the game. 
  • That color doesn’t come through very well. 
  • Our package came through the mail. 
  • Excuse me. I’m coming through. 

come through / came through / come through

come through

come through

1. come through: to succeed, especially on behalf of others; to provide something necessary

  • The relief needed by the people of the small town devastated by a tornado finally came through.  
  • The help came through at the last minute. 
  • The government usually comes through to provide supplies. 
  • The quarterback came through for the team at the very end of the game with a touchdown. 
  • We hope you’ll come through for us. 
four women looking down
  • You can almost always count on a good friend to come through for you when you need help. 

come through

2. come through: to be noticed, seen or heard. 

  • The passion she has for her work comes through in her voice. 
  • The voice on the other end of the phone conversation was not coming through very clearly. 
  • I can’t hear you. You’re not coming through. 
  • His personality comes through in his work. 
  • The beauty of oak flooring comes through any stain or lacquer that is applied to it. 
  • The white primer is still coming through the green top coat. (for painting, when a light color can be seen under a dark color.) 
woman and girl painting on wall
  • Her love of people came through in her music. 

Shown here is a mural of singer Dolly Parton. 

brown wooden board
  • The natural grains and imperfections in the wood come through the stain. 

come through

3. come through:  to arrive; enter; pass through

  • A big package came through the mail today.  
  • Millions of people come through Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport every year. 
  • When customers come through the door of a store, they are received as guests. 
  • People who want to enter the United States find that it’s easier to come through the border with Canada. 
  • Nowadays, more mail comes through the internet than through the regular postal service. 
  • Excuse me! I’m coming through. 
Two cardboard shipping boxes with branded tape on a dark blue surface
  • These packages came through the mail.  
man sitting on gang chair with feet on luggage looking at airplane
  • How many people come through this airport every day?   

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