v.
(past threw; past part. thrown)
- propel with force through the air by a rapid movement of the arm and hand.
▸send (one's opponent) to the ground in wrestling, judo, etc.
▸(of a horse) unseat (its rider).
▸Cricket bowl (the ball) with an illegitimate bent arm action.
- move or put into place quickly, hurriedly, or roughly.
- send suddenly into a particular position or condition:
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he threw all her emotions into turmoil.
▸disconcert; confuse.
- project, direct, or cast (light, an expression, etc.) in a particular direction.
▸project (one's voice) so that it appears to come from somewhere else, as in ventriloquism.
- form (ceramic ware) on a potter's wheel.
▸turn (wood) on a lathe.
▸twist (silk or other material) into yarn.
- have (a fit or tantrum).
- informal give or hold (a party).
- informal lose (a race or contest) intentionally, especially in return for a bribe.
- (of an animal) give birth to.
n.
- an act of throwing.
- a light cover for furniture.
- Geology the extent of vertical displacement in a fault.
- a machine or device by or on which an object is turned while being shaped.
- the action or motion of a slide valve or of a crank, eccentric wheel, or cam.
▸the extent of such motion.
-
(a throw)
informal a single turn, round, or item:
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drinks are £1 a throw.
Phrase
- be thrown back on
be forced to rely on (something) because there is no alternative. - 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 because one has a poor hand. ▸withdraw; 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. ▸admit defeat.
- throw up one's hands
raise both hands in the air as an indication of one's exasperation.
Phrase verbal
- throw something away
- discard something as useless or unwanted.
▸waste or fail to make use of an opportunity or advantage.
- (of an actor) deliver a line with deliberate underemphasis.
- throw something down
informal (of a DJ, rapper, etc.) play or perform a piece of music. - throw something in
- include something extra with something that is being sold or offered.
- make a remark casually as an interjection in a conversation.
- throw oneself into
start to do (something) with enthusiasm and vigour. - throw off
(of hounds or a hunt) begin hunting. - throw something off
- rid oneself of something.
- write or utter something in an offhand manner.
- throw something open
make something generally accessible. - throw someone out
- expel someone unceremoniously.
- Cricket & Baseball put out an opponent by throwing the ball to the wicket or a base.
- throw something out
- discard something as unwanted.
- (of a court, legislature, or other body) dismiss or reject something.
- cause numbers or calculations to become inaccurate.
- throw someone over
end a relationship with a lover. - throw people together
bring people into contact, especially by chance. - throw something together
make something hastily or without careful planning. - throw up
informal vomit. - throw something up
- abandon something.
- produce something and bring it to notice.
Derivative
- throwable adj.
- thrower n.
Etymology
OE thrāwan ‘to twist, turn’, of W. Gmc origin.
