throw

Syllabification: (throw)

Pronunciation: /THrō/

Translate throw | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish

Definition of throw

verb (throws, throwing; past threw /THro͞o/; past participle thrown /THrōn/)

1 [with object] propel (something) with force through the air by a movement of the arm and hand:I threw a brick through the window
[with object or complement] push or force (someone or something) violently and suddenly into a particular physical position or state:the pilot and one passenger were thrown clear and survived the door was thrown open, and a uniformed guard entered the room
put in place or erect quickly:the stewards had thrown a cordon across the fairway
move (a part of the body) quickly or suddenly in a particular direction:she threw her head back and laughed
project or cast (light or shadow) in a particular direction:a chandelier threw its bright light over the walls
deliver (a punch).
direct (a particular kind of look or facial expression):she threw a withering glance at him
project (one’s voice) so that it appears to come from someone or something else, as in ventriloquism.
(throw something off/on) put on or take off a garment hastily:I threw on my housecoat and went to the door
move (a switch or lever) so as to operate a device.
roll (dice).
obtain (a specified number) by rolling dice.
informal lose (a race or contest) intentionally, especially in return for a bribe.

2 [with object] cause to enter suddenly a particular state or condition:he threw all her emotions into turmoil the bond market was thrown into confusion
put (someone) in a particular place or state, especially in a rough, abrupt, or summary fashion:these guys should be thrown in jail
disconcert; confuse:she frowned, thrown by this apparent change of tack

3 [with object] send (one’s opponent) to the ground in wrestling, judo, or similar activity.
(of a horse) unseat (its rider).
(of a horse) lose (a shoe).
(of an animal) give birth to (young, of a specified kind):sometimes a completely black calf is thrown

4 [with object] form (ceramic ware) on a potter’s wheel:further on, a potter was throwing pots
turn (wood or other material) on a lathe.
twist (silk or other fabrics) into thread or yarn.

5 [with object] have (a fit or tantrum).

6 [with object] give or hold (a party).

noun

1an act of throwing something:Jeter’s throw to first base was too late
an act of throwing one’s opponent in wrestling, judo, or similar sport:a shoulder throw

2a light cover for furniture.
short for throw rug.

3short for roll of the dice (see dice).

4 Geology the extent of vertical displacement between the two sides of a fault.

5 [usually in singular] the action or motion, or the extent of such motion, of a slide valve, crank, eccentric wheel, or cam.
the distance moved by the pointer of an instrument.

6 (a throw) informal used to indicate how much a single item, turn, or attempt costs:he was offering to draw on-the-spot portraits at $25 a throw

Phrases

be thrown back on: be forced to rely on (something) because there is no alternative:we are once again thrown back on the resources of our imagination
throw away the key: used to suggest that someone who has been put in prison should or will never be released:the judge should lock up these robbers and throw away the key
throw the baby out with the bathwater: see baby.
throw something back in someone's face: see face.
throw the book at: see book.
throw cold water on: see cold.
throw down the gauntlet: see gauntlet¹.
throw someone for a loop: see loop.
throw dust in someone's eyes: seek to mislead or deceive someone by misrepresentation or distraction.
throw good money after bad: incur further loss in a hopeless attempt to recoup a previous loss.
throw one's hand in: withdraw from a card game, poker, because one has a poor hand.; withdraw from a contest or activity; give up.
throw in one's lot with: see lot.
throw in the towel (or sponge): (of boxers or their seconds) throw a towel (or sponge) into the ring as a token of defeat.; abandon a struggle; admit defeat.
throw light on: see light¹.
throw money at something: see money.
throw of the dice: see dice.
throw oneself on someone's mercy: see mercy.
throw up one's hands: raise both hands in the air as an indication of one’s exasperation.
throw one's weight around: see weight.
throw one's weight behind: see weight.

Phrasal Verbs

throw money around: spend money freely and ostentatiously.
throw oneself at: appear too eager to become the sexual partner of.
throw something away
throw something in
throw oneself into: start to do (something) with enthusiasm and vigor:Eve threw herself into her work
throw something off
throw oneself on (or upon): attack (someone) vigorously:they threw themselves on the enemy
throw something open: make something accessible:the market was thrown open to any supplier to compete for contracts; invite general discussion of or participation in a subject or a debate or other event:the debate will be thrown open to the audience
throw someone out
throw something out
throw someone over: abandon or reject someone as a lover.
throw people together: bring people into contact, especially by chance.
throw something together: make or produce something hastily, without careful planning or arrangement:the meal was quickly thrown together at news of Rose’s arrival
throw up: vomit.
throw something up

Derivatives

throwable
thrower

Origin:

Old English thrāwan 'to twist, turn'; related to Dutch draaien and German drehen, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin terere 'to rub', Greek teirein 'wear out'. throw (sense 1 of the verb), expressing propulsion and sudden action, dates from Middle English

throw in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of throw in the British & World English dictionary

Subscriber login

Library card login

Other

verb (throws, throwing; past threw /THro͞o/; past participle thrown /THrōn/)

noun

Phrases

be thrown back on

throw away the key

throw the baby out with the bathwater

throw something back in someone's face

throw the book at

throw cold water on

throw down the gauntlet

throw someone for a loop

throw dust in someone's eyes

throw good money after bad

throw one's hand in

throw in one's lot with

throw in the towel (or sponge)

throw light on

throw money at something

throw of the dice

throw oneself on someone's mercy

throw up one's hands

throw one's weight around

throw one's weight behind

Phrasal Verbs

throw money around

throw oneself at

throw something away

throw something in

throw oneself into

throw something off

throw oneself on (or upon)

throw something open

throw someone out

throw something out

throw someone over

throw people together

throw something together

throw up

throw something up

Derivatives

throwable

thrower

Origin:

throw in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

More results for throw

Word of the day

merrythought