follow-through

1 of 2

noun

fol·​low-through ˈfä-lō-ˌthrü 

ˌfä-lō-ˈthrü,

-lə-

1

: the part of the stroke following the striking of a ball

2

: the act or an instance of following through

follow through

2 of 2

verb

followed through; following through; follows through

intransitive verb

1

: to continue a stroke or motion to the end of its arc

2

: to press on in an activity or process especially to a conclusion

Synonyms

Verb

• accomplish
• achieve
• bring off
• carry off
• carry out
• commit
• compass
• do
• execute
• fulfill
• fulfil
• make
• negotiate
• perform
• perpetrate
• prosecute
• pull off
• put through

Examples of follow-through in a Sentence

Verb

you said you would put all of the files in order, but you didn't follow through with it

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Document the Discussion One of the biggest frustrations employees face is the lack of follow-through after a performance review. —Mark Murphy, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

Suggs argued his bump into the defender was part of his follow-through after the shot. —Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel, 16 Nov. 2024

Verb

Less than a month after the initial warning, Vietnam followed through on its threat. —Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 6 Dec. 2024

Should his administration follow through on those pledges, the outcome will have sweeping ramifications, not just for Ukraine but for European security more broadly. —Elie Tenenbaum, Foreign Affairs, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

follow through

verb

1

: to complete a stroke or swing

2

: to continue in an activity or process especially to a conclusion

follow through with a study

follow-through

ˈfäl-ō-ˌthrü

ˌfäl-ō-ˈthrü

-ə-

noun