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

• fulfil
• fulfill
• perform
• accomplish
• execute
• achieve
• go through
• do
• put through
• carry out
• make
• implement
• carry off

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

Many of these issues were flagged a decade ago in the 2014 DHS Protective Mission Panel report, but substantive legislative follow-through has remained elusive. —Bydonald J. Mihalek, ABC News, 13 July 2025

This follow-through builds trust and shows employees their voices truly matter. —Subha Barry, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025

Verb

Could Donald Trump possibly follow through on his campaign promise to save TikTok by finally making a deal that keeps the app operating in the US without compromising America's national security? —ArsTechnica, 7 July 2025

Of the 13 that did respond, only one followed through with an on-the-record interview about its current funding situation. —Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 3 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for follow-through

• amadou
• avenue
• ballyhoo
• baraboo
• barbecue
• barbeque
• bugaboo
• cabildo
• caribou
• cockatoo
• detinue
• devalue

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