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

The weekly chart of Visa shows how this week’s breakout is just the latest sign of a bullish follow-through for the stock. —David Keller, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2024

Politicians make promises and offer feel-good sound bites, yet the American people often see little follow-through. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024

Verb

Slow postal services, access to printers, personal follow through and confusion over each state’s voting requirements — either the need to mail in a ballot, fax, or submit it online — can also play a role in low participation rates. —Laura Kelly, The Hill, 2 Nov. 2024

Just try not to overcommit, as Mercury in Sagittarius has a habit of promising the moon, but following through can be a different story. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 2 Nov. 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