throw

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verb

/θroʊ/

present tense
I/you/we/they	throw
he/she/it	throws
present participle	throwing
past tense	threw
past participle	thrown

1
[intransitive/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?
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of throw
2
[transitive] to put something somewhere in a quick careless way
She hastily threw her books into a bag.
Harry had a red scarf thrown casually around his neck.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of throw
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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of throw
1. a.
  to use force to move someone or something
  He threw his opponent to the ground.
  The door was thrown open.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of throw
2. 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.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of throw
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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of throw
5
[transitive] to suddenly aim a look, smile, etc. in a particular direction
Marco threw an angry glance at her.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of throw
6
[transitive] informal to deliberately lose a game or competition
He was offered a bribe to throw the match.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of throw
7
[transitive] if you throw a switch, handle, etc., you move it up or down, for example in order to start or stop a machine
He threw a switch and the lights came on.
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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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of throw
1. 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.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of throw
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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of throw
10
[transitive] if something throws light or shadows somewhere, it makes light or shadows appear there
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of throw

phrases

throw something back in someone’s face
informal
to behave badly toward someone who has been good to you
He threw all her kindness back in her face.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of throw
throw the book at someone
informal
to punish someone very severely
If a teacher does anything wrong, they throw the book at him.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of throw
throw good money after bad
informal
to continue spending money on something such as a business or a project that is going to fail
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of throw
throw money at something
to 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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of throw
throw money down the drain
informal
to waste money by spending it on something useless
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of throw
throw a party
to organize a party, especially in your own home
Let’s throw a dinner party for him.
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throw a punch
to hit someone with your fist (=closed hand)
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of throw
throw your voice
to make your voice sound as if it is coming from somewhere else
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of throw
throw your weight around
informal
to use your authority to tell other people what to do in a rude and unpleasant way
The boss came in, yelling and generally throwing his weight around.
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throw your weight behind someone/something
to use your power to support a plan or a project
The mayor has thrown his weight behind the campaign.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of throw
throw yourself at someone
informal
to make it obvious that you think someone is sexually attractive
It was embarrassing the way she was throwing herself at him.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of throw
throw yourself into something
if 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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of throw

phrasal verbs

vocal fry

a speech habit in which a speaker lowers their voice at the end of a sentence

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phrases

throw something back in someone’s face

throw the book at someone

throw good money after bad

throw money at something

throw money down the drain

throw a party

throw a punch

throw your voice

throw your weight around

throw your weight behind someone/something

throw yourself at someone

throw yourself into something

phrasal verbs

vocal fry

Word of the Day

zeugma

conflict mineral