carry on: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘carry on’ mean?
The idiom "carry on" means to continue or persist with an action or behavior, often despite difficulties or opposition.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "press on" means to continue or persevere, despite difficulties or obstacles. It implies determination and the refusal to give up. It can be used to encourage someone to keep going, even when faced with challenges.
The idiom "press on" is commonly used in American English and has a straightforward meaning. It is often used in a figurative sense to encourage someone to continue or persevere in their actions or efforts.
The idiom "drag on" means to continue or last longer than desired or expected, often resulting in boredom, frustration, or exhaustion.
The idiom "do it tough" means to face or endure a difficult or challenging situation with determination and resilience.
Idiom: do it tough
The idiom "dig one's heels in" means to refuse to change one's mind or course of action despite pressure or opposition.
The idiom "dig one's heels in" has a literal meaning derived from the action of a horse refusing to move forward by digging its heels into the ground. This association between the stubborn behavior of a horse and the determination of a human has been accepted as an idiomatic expression within the English language.
The idiom "day in, day out" means consistently or without interruption, typically referring to a repetitive or monotonous daily routine or task.
The idiom "cross to bear" means to have a burden or responsibility that one must carry or deal with throughout their life.
The idiom "crack on" means to continue doing something with determination and without delay. It implies a sense of perseverance and focus in order to complete a task or achieve a goal.
The idiom "come through" means to successfully complete or accomplish something, especially when facing difficulties or obstacles.
“Come through” is a commonly used idiom in modern American English. Its exact origin is uncertain, but it is believed to have emerged in the late 19th or early 20th century. It is primarily used as a phrasal verb, and its meaning varies depending on the context.
The idiom "come hell or high water" means that someone is determined to do something despite any difficulties or obstacles that may arise.
The idiom "come along" means to join in, accompany, or make progress in a particular situation.
Unearthing the Essence
carry through is another idiomatic phrase that is related to carry on. It means to bring a task or project to completion, often against obstacles or challenges. It implies the idea of perseverance and determination. When someone carries through with something, they see it through to the end, even when faced with difficulties. For example, if someone is working on a difficult project, they might be encouraged to carry through and not give up, even when it gets tough.
carry forward, on the other hand, has a slightly different meaning. It refers to the act of taking something from one point or time and moving it to another point or time, typically in a progressive or advancing manner. It suggests the idea of moving forward and making progress. For instance, if someone is transferring data from one document to another, they might be said to carry forward the information. It can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as carrying forward ideas or concepts from one discussion to another.
The idiomatic phrase "carry on" has multiple meanings and can be used in different contexts. It can mean to continue or persist with an activity, or to behave in a dramatic or exaggerated manner. The related idioms "carry through" and "carry forward" provide additional nuance and depth to the concept of carrying on. "Carry through" emphasizes perseverance and seeing something through to completion, while "carry forward" focuses on the idea of moving forward and making progress.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom carry on can be used in a sentence:
- Despite the bad weather, the picnic enthusiasts decided to carry on with their outdoor event.
- After his injury, John had to carry on with his daily physical therapy exercises to aid in his recovery.
- Although the team was losing, they showed great determination and decided to carry on playing until the end.
More "Verb" idioms
