- throw
- throw1 [ θrou ] (past tense threw [ θru ] ; past participle thrown [ θroun ] ) verb ***▸ 1 send object through air▸ 2 put quickly & carelessly▸ 3 move (someone/something) suddenly▸ 4 be forced to go to place▸ 5 look etc. in direction▸ 6 deliberately lose game▸ 7 move switch/handle▸ 8 put someone/something in bad state▸ 9 say/ask something suddenly▸ 10 make light/shadows▸ + PHRASES1. ) intransitive or transitive to use your hand to send an object through the air:I'll throw the ball and you try to catch it.throw something at someone/something: Some kids were throwing stones at the windows.throw something to someone: Each child throws a ball to their partner.throw someone something: Can you throw me that rope?2. ) transitive to put something somewhere in a quick and careless way:She hastily threw her books into a bag.Harry had a red scarf thrown casually around his neck.3. ) transitive usually passive if a horse throws you, you fall off when it makes a sudden violent movement:She was thrown from her horse when it jumped sideways.a ) to use force to move someone or something:He threw his opponent to the ground.The door was thrown open.b ) to suddenly move your body or a part of your body into a particular position:Suddenly throwing back his head, he started laughing.She threw herself into his arms.4. ) transitive if someone is thrown into prison or a similar place, they are forced to go there:throw someone in/into jail/prison: Many protesters have been thrown in jail without trial.5. ) transitive to suddenly aim a look, smile, etc. in a particular direction:Marco threw an angry glance at her.6. ) transitive INFORMAL to deliberately lose a game or competition:He was offered a bribe to throw the match.7. ) transitive if you throw a switch, handle, etc., you move it up or down, for example in order to start a machine:He threw a switch and the lights came on.8. ) transitive to put someone or something into a bad state:Exams always threw her into a panic.throw something into confusion/chaos/disarray/turmoil: A single computer problem can throw the whole office into chaos.a ) if something throws you, it makes you surprised or confused because you did not expect it:The news has completely thrown me.throw someone off balance: The sudden question threw her off balance.9. ) transitive if you throw something such as questions, ideas, comments, etc. at someone, you suddenly ask them or mention them:Reporters were throwing personal questions at her.They stood in the street throwing insults at each other.10. ) transitive if something throws light or shadows somewhere, it makes light or shadows appear therethrow something back in someone's face INFORMALto behave badly toward someone who has been kind to youthrow the book at someone INFORMALto punish someone very severelythrow good money after bad INFORMALto continue spending money on something such as a business or project that is going to failthrow in your lot with someoneto decide to support or join a particular groupthrow money at somethingto try to improve something by spending a lot of money on it. This expression usually shows that you do not think this will be successful:Providing better education is not simply a matter of throwing money at it.throw money down the drain INFORMALto waste money by spending it on something uselessthrow a partyto organize a party, especially in your own home:Let's throw a dinner party for him.throw a punchto hit someone with your FIST (=closed hand)throw your voiceto make your voice sound as if it is coming from somewhere elsethrow your weight around INFORMALto use your authority to tell other people what to do in a rude and unpleasant waythrow your weight behind someone/somethingto use your power to support a plan or projectthrow yourself at someone INFORMALto make it obvious that you think someone is sexually attractive:It was embarrassing the way she was throwing herself at him.throw yourself into somethingif you throw yourself into an activity, you start giving all your energy or attention to doing it:After my girlfriend left me I threw myself into my work.=> BABY1, CAUTION1, HAT, LIGHT1,throw a`side phrasal verb transitiveto refuse to accept or continue something:All her plans to go to college have been thrown aside.,throw a`way phrasal verb transitive1. ) throw away or throw out to get rid of something that you no longer want, for example by putting it in a garbage container:I threw away all the broken toys.Have you thrown the papers away?2. ) to waste something such as an opportunity or advantage, for example by doing something silly:They lost the game after throwing away a fourteen point lead.,throw `back ,on phrasal verb transitive usually passivethrow someone back on something to force someone to use their own abilities, powers, etc. because there is nothing else to use:When the business failed he was thrown back on his own resources.,throw `in phrasal verb transitive1. ) to include something extra with something that you are selling, without asking for more money:Buy a computer now and get a free printer thrown in!2. ) to add a remark, question, etc. in a conversation:I just threw in a few comments occasionally.,throw `off phrasal verb transitive1. ) to get rid of something that has prevented you from doing what you want to do or behaving in the way you want:throw off the yoke/shackles: They have thrown off the yoke of colonial rule.2. ) to escape from someone who is chasing you:He threw off his pursuers and fled across the border.a ) throw someone off the scent/track to stop someone from finding you or discovering the truth about something by using a clever plan or trick3. ) if you throw off a slight illness, you become healthy again4. ) to quickly remove a piece of clothing:Dieter threw off his clothes and dived into the water.,throw `on phrasal verb transitiveto quickly put on a piece of clothing,throw `out phrasal verb transitive1. ) same as THROW AWAY 1:I've thrown out my old boots.2. ) to force someone to leave a place or group:throw out of: She threw him out of the house.3. ) if someone in authority throws out a plan, proposal, etc. they refuse to accept it:The judge threw out their claim.4. ) to produce something such as heat or light:My flashlight threw out enough light to see the path.,throw to`gether phrasal verb transitive1. ) to make something quickly because you do not have much time:I can easily throw together some lunch.2. ) usually passive if a particular situation or event throws people together, it causes them to meet and get to know one another,throw `up phrasal verb1. ) intransitive or transitive INFORMAL if you throw up or throw something up, food and drink comes back up from your stomach and out of your mouth: VOMIT:I feel terrible, I've been throwing up all night!She ate a good breakfast then threw it all back up.2. ) transitive to build something such as a house quickly and not very well:A lean-to was hastily thrown up to provide some shelter.3. ) transitive to cause something such as dust or water to rise into the air:The car wheels threw up a shower of gravel.4. ) transitive to suddenly leave something such as your job or your home:They threw up the whole city lifestyle.5. ) transitive BRITISH to produce something new or unexpected:This system has thrown up a few problems.throwthrow 2 [ θrou ] noun count *1. ) the action of throwing something such as a ball:a long throw from the outfield2. ) a large piece of cloth that you put over a chair, bed, etc. to make it look nice3. ) the action of throwing your opponent to the ground in a sport such as WRESTLING
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.