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

Despite the investment, employee engagement and leadership effectiveness remain poor due to companies having poor follow-through on leadership initiatives. —Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 13 May 2024

Musk says his companies are philanthropic in spirit Musk has a habit of making generous promises that earn positive publicity, then being shaky on the follow-through. —Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 11 Mar. 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