Pronunciation: [θɹuːandθɹˈuː] (IPA) 
The word "through-and-through" is spelled with the "th" sound at the beginning, followed by a long "oo" sound in "through," and then the "and" sound spelled as "a-n-d." The second part has the "th" sound again, followed by the "r" sound spelled as "o-u-g-h," and finally the "oo" sound again. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /θruː ənd θruː/. It means thoroughly or completely.
Through-and-through is an idiomatic expression used to describe something that is complete, profound, or absolute in nature. It refers to a thorough or comprehensive understanding or examination of a matter or situation. This term can be applied to various contexts, including personal qualities, characteristics, or actions.
In terms of personal qualities, if someone is described as a through-and-through believer, it means that they possess an unwavering commitment or loyalty to a particular cause, ideology, or belief system. It implies that their commitment is absolute and extends to every aspect of their life.
When it comes to actions, if something is done through-and-through, it means that it is carried out completely or exhaustively, leaving no room for doubt or incomplete work. For example, a through-and-through cleaning of a house implies that every corner and detail has been thoroughly attended to, leaving no area untouched or neglected.
Furthermore, through-and-through can also describe a characteristic that is deeply embedded or inherent in a person or thing. For instance, a through-and-through athlete is someone who possesses natural athletic abilities, showing proficiency and passion in various sporting disciplines.
Overall, through-and-through conveys the idea of completeness, thoroughness, and utmost commitment in the context it is used, whether it's describing a person, action, or quality.
The phrase "through-and-through" is composed of two separate words: "through" and "and".
The word "through" originated from the Old English word "thorh", which means "penetrated, pierced, or passed from one side to another". It has Germanic roots and is related to the Dutch word "door" and the German word "durch".
The word "and" comes from the Old English word "and", which has Indo-European roots and can be traced back to the Latin word "et".
When combined, "through-and-through" refers to something that goes completely from one side to the other, often used to describe a bullet or an object that has pierced an object leaving an entry and exit wound. Its etymology highlights the idea of passing all the way through without stopping or being obstructed.
