follow through

See also: followthrough and follow-through

English

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU)

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Verb

follow through (third-person singular simple present follows through, present participle following through, simple past and past participle followed through)

1. (intransitive, idiomatic) To execute or complete a commitment.

   I don't appreciate salesmen who make promises and then fail to follow through.

2. (intransitive, idiomatic) to continue moving the arms (and any held implements, such as a bat or club) or legs after striking e.g. a ball.
3. (intransitive, slang, euphemistic) To defecate unintentionally as a result of a cough or sneeze, etc.
   • 2013, Dave Cousins, Waiting for Gonzo:

     It looked like he'd just farted and followed through.

   • 2014, Toast of London (TV series), "Fool in Love" (episode)

     LORNA WYNDE: You cried so hard, you followed through in Oddbins.

Antonyms

• backswing

Translations

complete a commitment

• German: in die Tat umsetzen