durch|schlagen / durchschlagen
Translation
to get by, to punch through, to soak through, to take effect
Examples
Er schlug sich mit zwei Jobs durch.
He got by with two jobs.
Die Tinte hat das Papier durchgeschlagen.
The ink soaked through the paper.
Seine Idee hat endlich durchgeschlagen.
His idea finally took effect.
Grammar Patterns
sichAkk ((durch et4)) to get through sth. He fought his way through the difficult times.
((et4)) to soak through sth. The moisture has soaked through the wall.
Similar Words
Etymology
From 'durch' (through) + 'schlagen' (to hit/strike). The meaning depends on stress: stressed 'durch' (separable) is more literal, unstressed (inseparable) is more figurative or result-oriented.
Memory Tips
Think of separable 'durch|schlagen' as actively 'striking through' life's difficulties. Inseparable 'durchschlagen' is a result, like ink has 'struck through' the paper.