throw

Pronunciation: /θrəʊ/

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Definition of throw

verb (throws, throwing; past threw /θruː/; past participle thrown /θrəʊn/)

1 [with object and usually with adverbial] propel (something) with force through the air by a movement of the arm and hand:I threw a brick through the window
[with object and adverbial 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): Cheryl drew back her fist and threw another 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: I can throw my voice—I could make a fortune as a medium
(throw something off/on) put on or take off (a garment) hastily:I tumbled out of bed, threw on my tracksuit, and joined the others
move (a switch or lever) so as to operate a device: at the trolley portal the operator had to manually throw the switch using a switch iron
roll (dice): he reached out and put the dice in the shaker and threw them
obtain (a specified number) by rolling dice.
informal lose (a race or contest) intentionally, especially in return for a bribe: the man who throws a race is a crook for life
Cricket bowl (the ball) with an unlawful bent arm action.
(of a horse) lose (a shoe).

2 [with object and adverbial] send suddenly into 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 in a rough, abrupt, or summary fashion:these guys should be thrown in jail
[with object] 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: in the final Arnaud was too strong, and threw Hughes twice
(of a horse) unseat (its rider): their horse threw its jockey before the race had started

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): occasionally a small child will throw a tantrum when denied something

6 [with object] give or hold (a party): he threw a huge farewell party for them

7 [with object] (of an animal) give birth to (young, especially of a specified kind):sometimes a completely black calf is thrown

noun

1an act of throwing something:Holding’s throw hit the stumps
an act of throwing one’s opponent in wrestling, judo, or a similar sport:a shoulder throw
Cricket an illegitimate delivery considered to have been thrown rather than properly bowled.
short for below.this decision represents something of a final throw people who hazard their entire company on one major throw

2a light cover for furniture.

3 (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

4 Geology the extent of vertical displacement in a fault.

5a machine or device by or on which an object is turned while being shaped.

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

Phrases

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 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, especially poker, because one has a poor hand.; withdraw from a contest or activity; give up.
throw in the towel (or sponge): (of boxers or their seconds) throw a towel (or sponge) into the ring as a token of defeat: Cafaro was told by his trainer that he was going to throw the towel in if he did not start throwing punches; abandon a struggle; admit defeat: there are times when the difficulties appear too great and we just throw in the towel
throw of the dice: a risky attempt to do or achieve something:a struggling actor giving it a last throw of the dice as he stages a self-financed production of Hamlet
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: Dickens threw up his hands in impatience

Phrasal Verbs

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 oneself at: appear too eager to become the sexual partner of: she’s throwing herself at that man, making a complete fool of herself
throw something away
throw something down: informal (especially of a DJ, rapper, or similar artiste) play or perform a piece of music:the DJ was throwing down some sweet tunes
throw something in
throw oneself into: start to do (something) with enthusiasm and vigour:Evelyn threw herself into her work
throw off: Hunting begin hunting.
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: he’s going to throw you over for your sister
throw people together: bring people into contact, especially by chance: a mixed group of passengers thrown together by circumstance for the duration of the journey
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: informal vomit: I leaned over and threw up again
throw something up

Derivatives

throwable
thrower

Origin:

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

throw in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of throw in the US English dictionary

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Other

verb (throws, throwing; past threw /θruː/; past participle thrown /θrəʊn/)

noun

Phrases

throw away the key

throw dust in someone's eyes

throw good money after bad

throw one's hand in

throw in the towel (or sponge)

throw of the dice

throw oneself on someone's mercy

throw up one's hands

Phrasal Verbs

be thrown back on

throw oneself at

throw something away

throw something down

throw something in

throw oneself into

throw off

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

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