break through

See also: breakthrough

English

Verb

break through (third-person singular simple present breaks through, present participle breaking through, simple past broke through, past participle broken through)

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see break,‎ through.
2. (intransitive) To gain popularity.
   • 2024 June 26, Stephanie McNeal, “Influencers Aren’t Getting Famous Like They Used To”, in Glamour‎^[1]:

     We are in a drought of famous influencers, and it may be here to stay. People just aren’t breaking through online the way they used to, becoming household names and garnering real, mainstream fame.

3. (intransitive, sports) To penetrate the defence of the opposition.
   • 2011 September 2, “Wales 2-1 Montenegro”, in BBC‎^[2]:

     Montenegro gave Wales a scare in the first minute at the Cardiff City Stadium when Stevan Jovetic broke through, only to screw his shot well wide.

4. (transitive) To make or force a way through (a barrier)

Translations

to gain popularity

• French: percer (fr)
• German: Durchbruch (de) m

make or force a way through (a barrier)

• Esperanto: trarompi
• Maori: wāhi, wāwāhi