Wade through

verb

To struggle through something difficult, usually requiring a lot of time and effort.

He had to wade through a pile of paperwork before he could leave the office.
Visual representation of "wade through" - To struggle through something difficult, usually requiring a lot of time and effort.

Often appears as...

  • wade through paperwork
  • wade through a crowd

Usage tips

Idiomatic

verb

To physically walk through something that is relatively deep, like water or mud.

We had to wade through the flooded streets to reach safety.
Visual representation of "wade through" - To physically walk through something that is relatively deep, like water or mud.

Often appears as...

  • wade through water
  • wade through mud
verb

To struggle through something difficult, usually requiring a lot of time and effort.

He had to wade through a pile of paperwork before he could leave the office.
Visual representation of "wade through" - To struggle through something difficult, usually requiring a lot of time and effort.

Often appears as...

  • wade through paperwork
  • wade through a crowd

Usage tips

Idiomatic

verb

To physically walk through something that is relatively deep, like water or mud.

We had to wade through the flooded streets to reach safety.
Visual representation of "wade through" - To physically walk through something that is relatively deep, like water or mud.

Often appears as...

  • wade through water
  • wade through mud
Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "wade through"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Figurative Use

Used to describe mental or emotional efforts, not just physical ones.

Illustration for Figurative Use
I need to wade through all the new rules to understand the game.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Overwhelming Tasks

Implies facing a large or complicated task that can be tiring.

Illustration for Overwhelming Tasks
She's wading through all the applications to find the right candidate.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Time-Consuming

Suggests a task will take a lot of time to complete.

Illustration for Time-Consuming
He waded through the archives for hours looking for the record.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Figurative Use

Used to describe mental or emotional efforts, not just physical ones.

Illustration for Figurative Use
I need to wade through all the new rules to understand the game.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Overwhelming Tasks

Implies facing a large or complicated task that can be tiring.

Illustration for Overwhelming Tasks
She's wading through all the applications to find the right candidate.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Time-Consuming

Suggests a task will take a lot of time to complete.

Illustration for Time-Consuming
He waded through the archives for hours looking for the record.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Figurative Use

Used to describe mental or emotional efforts, not just physical ones.

Illustration for Figurative Use
I need to wade through all the new rules to understand the game.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Overwhelming Tasks

Implies facing a large or complicated task that can be tiring.

Illustration for Overwhelming Tasks
She's wading through all the applications to find the right candidate.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Time-Consuming

Suggests a task will take a lot of time to complete.

Illustration for Time-Consuming
He waded through the archives for hours looking for the record.
Visual representation of the word "Wade through"

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