To go under or pass beneath — to pass under something, such as a fence, gate, or tunnel.
低い門をくぐって庭に入った。
We went under the low gate and entered the garden.
電車が高架をくぐる場所で写真を撮った。
I took a picture where the train passes under the elevated tracks.
犬が網の下をくぐって逃げた。
The dog slipped under the net and escaped.
To dive or go beneath the surface of water — used similarly to もぐる.
海で魚を見ようと泳いで潜った。
I dove in the sea to try to see the fish.
潜水員が海中に潜って調査を行った。
The diver went underwater to carry out the investigation.
船の下をくぐってシュノーケリングを楽しんだ。
We snorkeled and went under the boat for fun.
To evade or slip past — to get around rules, checks, or obstacles (figurative use).
税の抜け道を利用して規制の目をくぐる企業が問題になっている。
Companies exploiting tax loopholes to evade regulation are becoming a problem.
彼は厳しい検査の目をくぐって入国したと疑われている。
He is suspected of entering the country by slipping past strict inspections.
新しいルールの抜け穴を見つけてそれをくぐる方法を探した。
They looked for ways to find and exploit loopholes in the new rules.
To survive or overcome — to go through and surmount hardships, trials, or difficult periods.
幾多の試練をくぐって彼は今の地位を得た。
After going through many trials, he attained his current position.
冬の寒さをくぐって春が来たと感じる。
After surviving the winter cold, one feels that spring has arrived.
古い友人は数々の苦難をくぐり抜けて戻ってきた。
My old friend came back after overcoming many hardships.