过关 literally means 'to pass the pass' — '过' (guò) means 'to pass, cross, or go through', and '关' (guān) means 'checkpoint, barrier, or gate'. Historically, it referred to passing through frontier checkpoints in ancient China; today it’s used metaphorically for overcoming any kind of hurdle — especially tests, exams, security checks, game levels, or official reviews. It emphasizes successful completion under scrutiny or pressure.

The phrase is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts: students say they hope to 过关 on an exam; job applicants talk about 过关 after interviews; gamers celebrate when their character 过关 a difficult stage. It can be used transitively (e.g., 过关考试) or intransitively (e.g., 终于过关了), and often appears in spoken Chinese with a sense of relief or accomplishment.