throws;
threw
/ˈθruː/
;
thrown
/ˈθroʊn/
;
throwing
throws;
threw
/ˈθruː/
;
thrown
/ˈθroʊn/
;
throwing
Britannica Dictionary definition of THROW
1
:
to cause (something) to move out of your hand and through the air by quickly moving your arm forward
[+ object]
-
She threw the ball to first base.
-
We threw our hats in the air at the end of the ceremony.
-
Throw me the car keys. = Throw the car keys to me.
-
a poorly thrown ball
[no object]
-
Let's see how far you can throw.
-
You throw like a wimp.
-
He hurt his throwing arm/hand. [=the arm/hand that he uses to throw a baseball, football, etc.]
2
always followed by an adverb or preposition,
[+ object]
:
to put (something) in a particular place in a careless or forceful way
-
She threw her coat on the bed.
-
Don't throw your trash on the ground. Throw it in the trash can.
-
He threw (down) the newspaper on the table in disgust.
—
sometimes used figuratively
3
always followed by an adverb or preposition,
[+ object]
:
to cause (someone or something) to move suddenly or forcefully to or away from a particular place
-
The wrestler threw his opponent to the mat.
-
The crash threw the driver from the car.
-
She was thrown from the horse.
-
The storm threw the boat against a reef.
4
[+ object]
sports
:
to perform an action that involves throwing a ball
-
(American football) The quarterback threw a pass.
-
(American football) The quarterback threw a touchdown/interception. [=threw a pass that resulted in a touchdown/interception]
-
(baseball) The pitcher threw a curve to him. = The pitcher threw him a curve.
-
(baseball) He threw [=pitched] the first three innings of the game.
-
(baseball) In her last game, she threw [=pitched] a no-hitter/shutout.
5
a
:
to send (something) from your hand in a way that causes it to move forward and turn over many times along a surface
[+ object]
[no object]
b
[+ object]
:
to get (a number or score) by throwing dice or a bowling ball
6
always followed by an adverb or preposition,
[+ object]
:
to cause or force (someone or something) to suddenly be in a particular state, condition, or position
-
The discovery threw the previous theory into (a state of) doubt.
-
They arrested him and threw him in/into prison. [=put him in prison]
-
The government threw the territory open to settlers.
—
often used as (be) thrown
-
The crowd was thrown into confusion. [=the crowd suddenly became very confused]
-
He was thrown into prison.
-
She was thrown into a very difficult situation.
-
When the factory closed, the workers were thrown out of their jobs. [=the workers lost their jobs]
7
[+ object]
a
always followed by an adverb or preposition
:
to forcefully move (yourself or a part of your body) in a particular direction
-
They threw their arms around each other.
-
She threw herself into his arms.
-
She threw back her head in laughter.
-
He threw his shoulders back and stuck out his chest.
-
He threw himself onto the couch.
-
She threw her leg over the arm of the chair.
b
:
to swing your arm and try to hit someone with your fist
8
[+ object]
a
always followed by an adverb or preposition
:
to move (something) to an open or closed position in a forceful and sudden way
b
:
to move (a switch) to an on or off position
9
[+ object]
:
to organize and hold (a party)
10
[+ object]
:
to lose (a game or contest) in a deliberate way
11
[+ object]
:
to express strong emotions in an uncontrolled way
12
[+ object]
:
to use (your effort, influence, money, etc.) in order to accomplish something
—
often + into
-
She threw all her efforts into the boy's defense. [=she worked as hard as she could for the boy's defense]
-
They've been throwing all their money into (repairing) the house.
-
She threw everything she had into winning the match. [=she tried as hard as she could to win the match]
13
[+ object]
:
to direct (something, such as a question or look) at someone
—
often + at
14
[+ object]
informal
:
to cause (someone) to feel confused or surprised
—
see also throw (someone) for a loop at 1loop, throw (someone) for a loss at loss
15
[+ object]
:
to cause (something, such as a shadow) to appear on a surface
—
sometimes used figuratively
16
[+ object]
:
to put (a vehicle) into a different gear especially in a quick and sudden way
17
[+ object]
:
to make (your voice) sound as if it is coming from another person or place
18
[+ object]
US, informal
:
to do (something that requires special skill) successfully
19
[+ object]
technical
:
to form or shape (something, such as clay or a pot) on a special wheel
throw away
[phrasal verb]
1
throw away (something)
or
throw (something) away
:
to put (something that is no longer useful or wanted) in a trash can, garbage can, rubbish bin, etc.
-
We threw away [=threw out] a lot of old junk that was in the basement.
-
Throw that candy wrapper away, please.
—
see also throwaway
2
a
:
to use (something) in a foolish or wasteful way
-
He threw away [=squandered] his life savings.
-
He threw all of his money away on gambling.
-
Don't throw your life away.
b
:
to foolishly fail to use (something, such as a chance)
-
She threw away [=wasted] an opportunity.
-
You had a chance to do something great, and you threw it away.
throw in
[phrasal verb]
1
throw in (something)
or
throw (something) in
:
to add (something) to what you are selling without asking for more money
2
:
to add (something) to the effort or activity of a group
throw off
[phrasal verb]
1
throw off (something)
or
throw (something) off
a
:
to quickly remove (a piece of clothing)
b
:
to get rid of (something you do not want, such as a quality or a condition)
-
She tried to throw off her reputation as being difficult to work with.
-
He threw off his inhibitions and went skinny-dipping.
-
throwing off all restraint
c
:
to cause (something) to be incorrect
d
:
to send (light, smoke, etc.) out from a source
2
throw off (someone)
or
throw (someone) off
a
:
to cause (someone) to be confused or uncertain about where to go, what to do, etc.
b
:
to get away from (someone who is trying to catch you)
throw on
[phrasal verb]
1
throw on (something)
or
throw (something) on
:
to quickly put on (a piece of clothing)
2
:
to cause (something) to work by moving a switch
throw out
[phrasal verb]
1
throw out (something)
or
throw (something) out
a
:
to put (something that is no longer useful or wanted) in a trash can, garbage can, rubbish bin, etc.
b
:
to refuse to accept or consider (something)
c
:
to mention (something) as a possible thing to be done, thought about, etc.
:
suggest
-
She threw out a couple of ideas for improving the company's Web site.
-
He threw out some hints, but nobody could guess the surprise.
d
:
to send (light, smoke, etc.) out from a source
e
:
to injure (a part of your body)
2
throw (someone) out
or
throw out (someone)
a
:
to force (someone) to leave a place, game, etc.
-
The referee threw out two players for fighting.
-
His parents threatened to throw him out (of the house) if he didn't start behaving better.
-
She got thrown out of school for cheating.
b
baseball
:
to cause (a player) to be out by throwing the ball to the base that the player is running to
throw together
[phrasal verb]
1
throw together (something)
or
throw (something) together
:
to make (something) by joining or combining things in a quick and usually careless way
2
throw together (people)
or
throw (people) together
:
to bring (people) together usually in an unexpected way
throw up
[phrasal verb]
1
throw up
or
throw up (something)
or
throw (something) up
informal
:
to have the food, liquid, etc., that is in your stomach come out through your mouth
:
vomit
2
throw up (something)
or
throw (something) up
a
:
to raise or lift (something) quickly or suddenly
b
:
to build (something) quickly
c
chiefly British
:
to leave (your job, home, etc.)
d
British
:
to cause (something) to be known
3
throw up your hands
or
throw your hands up (in the air)
:
to stop an activity or effort and admit that you cannot do anything to make a situation better
-
He tried to convince her not to go, but in the end he had to throw up his hands in despair.
-
She threw her hands up in disgust.
throw yourself at (someone)
informal
:
to try too hard to attract the attention of (someone you are sexually attracted to)
throw yourself into
:
to begin doing or working on (something) with great energy and determination
2
throw
/ˈθroʊ/
noun
plural
throws
plural
throws
Britannica Dictionary definition of THROW
[count]
1
b
:
an act of rolling dice
2
:
the distance over which something is thrown or could be thrown
3
:
a loose blanket or cloth that is put on a sofa, chair, etc.
a throw
British, informal