throw

[[t]θro͟ʊ[/t]]

♦♦

throws, throwing, threw, thrown

1) VERB When you throw an object that you are holding, you move your hand or arm quickly and let go of the object, so that it moves through the air.

[V n prep/adv] He spent hours throwing a tennis ball against a wall...

[V n prep/adv] On one occasion, his father threw a radio at his mother...

[V n] The crowd began throwing stones...

[V n with adv] Sophia jumps up and throws down her knitting...

[V n n] He threw Brian a rope.

Derived words:

throwing N-UNCOUNT usu with supp

He didn't really know very much about javelin throwing.

N-COUNT: oft N of n

Throw is also a noun.

One of the judges thought it was a foul throw... A throw of the dice allows a player to move himself forward.

2) VERB If you throw your body or part of your body into a particular position or place, you move it there suddenly and with a lot of force.

[V n prep] She threw her arms around his shoulders...

[V pron-refl prep/adv] She threatened to throw herself in front of a train...

[V n with adv] He set his skinny legs apart and threw back his shoulders.

Syn:

fling

3) VERB If you throw something into a particular place or position, you put it there in a quick and careless way.

[V n prep/adv] He struggled out of his bulky jacket and threw it on to the back seat...

[V n prep/adv] Why not throw it all in the pot and see what happens?

4) VERB To throw someone into a particular place or position means to force them roughly into that place or position.

[V n prep/adv] He threw me to the ground and started to kick...

[V n prep/adv] The device exploded, throwing Mr Taylor from his car.

5) VERB If you say that someone is thrown into prison, you mean that they are put there by the authorities, especially if this seems unfair or cruel.

[be V-ed in/into n] Those two should have been thrown in jail...

[V n in/into n] Police should have the power to fine people who hamper rescue efforts. In fact I'd throw them into prison for a night.

6) VERB If a horse throws its rider, it makes him or her fall off, by suddenly jumping or moving violently.

[V n] The horse reared, throwing its rider and knocking down a youth standing beside it.

7) VERB If a person or thing is thrown into an unpleasant situation or state, something causes them to be in that situation or state.

[be V-ed prep] Abidjan was thrown into turmoil because of a protest by taxi drivers...

[V n prep] Economic recession had thrown millions out of work...

[V n prep] The border dispute has threatened to throw next week's OPEC meeting in Geneva into confusion.

8) VERB If something throws light or a shadow on a surface, it causes that surface to have light or a shadow on it.

[V n on/onto n] The sunlight is white and blinding, throwing hard-edged shadows on the ground.

Syn:

cast

9) VERB If something throws doubt on a person or thing, it causes people to doubt or suspect them.

[V n on/upon n] This new information does throw doubt on their choice...

[V n on/upon n] She did not attempt to throw any suspicion upon you.

Syn:

cast

10) VERB: no cont If you throw a look or smile at someone or something, you look or smile at them quickly and suddenly.

[V n n] Emily turned and threw her a suggestive grin. [Also V n at n]

11) VERB If you throw yourself, your energy, or your money into a particular job or activity, you become involved in it very actively or enthusiastically.

[V pron-refl into n] She threw herself into a modelling career...

[V n into n] They threw all their military resources into the battle.

12) VERB If you throw a fit or a tantrum, you suddenly start to behave in an uncontrolled way.

[V n] I used to get very upset and scream and swear, throwing tantrums all over the place.

13) VERB If something such as a remark or an experience throws you, it surprises you or confuses you because it is unexpected.

[V n] The professor rather threw me by asking if I went in for martial arts...

[V n] Obviously the puncture threw me a little, but I'm reasonably happy.

PHRASAL VERB

Throw off means the same as throw.

V n P I lost my first serve in the first set, it threw me off a bit.

14) VERB If you throw a punch, you punch someone.

[V n] Everything was fine until someone threw a punch.

15) VERB When someone throws a party, they organize one, usually in their own home. [INFORMAL]

[V n] Why not throw a party for your friends?

16) VERB When someone throws a switch, they turn it on or off.

[V n] Prince Edward threw the switch to light the illuminations.

17) VERB In sports, if a player throws a game or contest, they lose it as a result of a deliberate action or intention.

[V n] ...offering him a bribe to throw the game.

18) N-COUNT A throw is a light rug, blanket, or cover for a sofa or bed.

19) PHRASE: amount PHR If things cost a particular amount of money a throw, they cost that amount each. [INFORMAL]

Most applications software for personal computers cost over $500 a throw.

20) PHRASE: V inflects If someone throws themselves at you, they make it very obvious that they want to begin a relationship with you, by behaving as though they are sexually attracted to you.

I'll say you started it, that you threw yourself at me.

21) to throw the baby out with the bath water → see baby

to throw the book at someone → see book

to throw someone in at the deep end → see end

to throw down the gauntlet → see gauntlet

to throw up your hands → see hand

to throw light on something → see light

to throw in your lot with someone → see lot

to throw money at something → see money

to throw good money after bad → see money

to throw a spanner in the works → see spanner

a stone's throw → see stone

to throw in the towel → see towel

to throw cold water on something → see water

to throw your weight about → see weight

to throw a wrench → see wrench

Phrasal Verbs:

- throw around

- throw aside

- throw away

- throw out

- throw back

- throw down

- throw in

- throw off

- throw out

- throw together

- throw up