see through

You understand that something is false and do not believe it.

• I can see through that lie.
• They saw through the trick and refused to pay.
• Can she see through his cheerful disguise?

How to use it: see through something (She saw through his excuse immediately.)

Similar words: detect, see past

Common phrases: see through lies, see through an excuse

You can look at things on the other side of a clear or partly clear material.

• I can see through the window.
• We could barely see through the dirty glass.
• Can people see through these curtains at night?

How to use it: see through something (Can you see through this glass?)

Common phrases: see through glass, see through the curtains

You keep working on something until you finish it, even when it is difficult.

• I will see this through.
• We saw the repairs through despite several delays.
• Can you see the project through to the end?

How to use it: see something through (We promised to see the project through.); see something through to the end (She saw the work through to the end.)

Similar words: finish, complete, carry through

Opposites: abandon

Common phrases: see something through, see the project through

You recognize what someone is really like or what they secretly want.

• I see through you.
• She saw through his charm and refused the offer.
• It took years for us to see through our boss.

How to use it: see through someone (Her friends saw through him from the start.)

Similar words: see past, read

Common phrases: see through someone, see through his charm

You help someone until a difficult experience is over.

• Your help will see me through.
• His friends saw him through a difficult winter.
• Who saw you through those lonely months?

How to use it: see someone through something (Her sister saw her through the crisis.)

Similar words: support, help through

Common phrases: see someone through, see me through this

An amount of something is enough for someone until a particular time or event ends.

• These savings will see us through.
• The fuel saw us through the coldest weeks.
• Will that food see you through until Friday?

How to use it: see someone through something (This food should see us through the weekend.)

Similar words: last, suffice

Common phrases: see us through winter, see someone through