The word **打通** is a verb-object compound (动宾结构) formed by combining the verb **打** (dǎ), which carries a broad sense of "to strike," "to act upon," or "to engage in," with the resultative object **通** (tōng), meaning "through," "open," or "unobstructed." Literally, it paints the image of "striking something so that it becomes open or connected," most classically referring to the physical act of breaking through a wall to create a door or passage. Over time, its meaning has expanded metaphorically to encompass overcoming any kind of barrier to achieve connection or flow, such as **打通** a phone line (connecting a call), **打通** a concept (understanding it thoroughly), or **打通** departments within an organization (breaking down silos for seamless operation). Thus, the term semantically progresses from a concrete physical action to an abstract achievement of linkage and resolution.