to propel or cast in any way, esp. to project or propel from the hand by a sudden forward motion or straightening of the arm and wrist: to throw a ball.
2.
to hurl or project (a missile), as a gun does.
3.
to project or cast (light, a shadow, etc.).
4.
to project (the voice).
5.
to make it appear that one's voice is coming from a place different from its source, as in ventriloquism.
6.
to direct or send forth (words, a glance, etc.).
7.
to put or cause to go or come into some place, position, condition, etc., as if by hurling: to throw someone into prison; to throw a bridge across a river; to throw troops into action.
8.
to put on, off, or away hastily: to throw a shawl over one's shoulders.
9.
Machinery.
a.
to move (a lever or the like) in order to activate, turn on, disconnect, etc., an apparatus or mechanism: to throw the switch.
b.
to connect, engage, disconnect, or disengage by such a procedure: to throw the current.
10.
to shape on a potter's wheel: to throw a vase.
11.
to bring to bear or invest: Throw all your energy into your work. The FBI threw every available agent into the case.
12.
to deliver a blow or punch: He threw a hard left jab to his opponent's chin.
13.
to cause to fall to the ground, esp. to hurl to the ground, as an opponent in wrestling.
14.
Cards. to play (a card).
15.
to lose (a game, race, or other contest) intentionally, as for a bribe.
16.
to cast (dice).
17.
to make (a cast) at dice: She threw two sixes.
18.
(of an animal, as a horse) to cause (someone) to fall off; unseat: The horse threw his rider twice.
19.
to give or host: They threw a lavish party celebrating his 80th birthday.
20.
(of domestic animals) to bring forth (young).
21.
Textiles. to twist (filaments) without attenuation in the production of yarn or thread.
22.
Informal. to overcome with astonishment or confusion; amaze, disconcert, or confuse: It was her falsetto voice on top of it all that really threw me.
23.
to turn on a lathe.
–verb (used without object)
24.
to cast, fling, or hurl a missile or the like.
–noun
25.
an act or instance of throwing or casting; cast; fling.
26.
the distance to which anything is or may be thrown: a stone's throw.
27.
Informal. a venture or chance: It was his last throw.
28.
Machinery.
a.
the distance between the center of a crankshaft and the center of the crankpins, equal to one half of the piston stroke.
b.
the distance between the center of a crankshaft and the center of an eccentric.
c.
the movement of a reciprocating part in one direction.
29.
(in a motion-picture theater) the distance between the projector and the screen.
30.
(in an auditorium or the like) the distance between a loudspeaker and the audience.
31.
the length of a beam of light: a spotlight with a throw of 500 feet.
32.
a scarf, boa, shawl, or the like.
33.
Theater.
a.
the distance to which a spotlight can be projected.
b.
the area illuminated by a spotlight.
34.
a light blanket, as for use when reclining on a sofa; afghan.
35.
a cast of dice.
36.
the number thrown with a pair of dice.
37.
Wrestling. the act, method, or an instance of throwing an opponent.
38.
Geology,Mining. the amount of vertical displacement produced by a fault.
—Verb phrases
39.
throw away,
a.
to dispose of; discard.
b.
to employ wastefully; squander.
c.
to fail to use; miss (a chance, opportunity, etc.): He threw away a college education and a professional career.
40.
throw back,
a.
to retard the development or advancement of: His illness threw him back a year at school.
b.
to force into dependence upon or necessary use of.
c.
to return to; hark back.
d.
to revert to a type found in one's ancestry; manifest atavism: Her red hair and blue eyes throw back to her great-grandmother.
41.
throw in, Informal.
a.
to add as a bonus or gratuity: They throw in breakfast with the room.
b.
to bring into (a discussion, plan, etc.) as an addition; interject: The president threw in an amusing anecdote to relieve the tension.
c.
Cards. to abandon (a hand).
42.
throw off,
a.
to free oneself of; cast aside: to throw off the wet poncho; to throw off the yoke of slavery.
b.
to escape from or delay, as a pursuer.
c.
to give off; discharge.
d.
to perform or produce with ease: The entertainer threw off a few songs and jokes to begin the show.
e.
to confuse; fluster: Thrown off by jeers, she forgot her lines.
f.
AustralianSlang. to criticize or ridicule (usually fol. by at).
43.
throw out,
a.
to cast away; remove; discard.
b.
to bring up for consideration; propose: The committee threw out a few suggestions.
c.
to put out of mind; reject: We can throw out that scheme.
d.
Baseball. to cause to be out by throwing the ball to a fielder, esp. an infielder, in time to prevent a batter or runner from reaching base safely: The shortstop backhanded the ball and threw the batter out at first.
e.
to eject from a place, esp. forcibly: He started making a disturbance so the bartenders threw him out.
f.
to expel, as from membership in a club.
44.
throw over, to forsake; abandon: She threw over her first husband for another man.
45.
throw together,
a.
to make in a hurried and haphazard manner.
b.
to cause to associate: Many nationalities have been thrown together in the American melting pot.
46.
throw up,
a.
to give up; relinquish.
b.
to build hastily.
c.
to vomit.
d.
to point out, as an error; criticize.
e.
(of a hawk) to fly suddenly upward.
—Idioms
47.
a throw, Informal. each: He ordered four suits at $300 a throw.
throw oneself at (someone) or at (someone's head), to strive to attract the interest or attention of, esp. in order to win the love or admiration of: Don't expect me to throw myself at you.
53.
throw oneself into, to engage in with energy or enthusiasm: She threw herself into learning the new routines.
54.
throw oneself on or upon (someone), to commit oneself to another's mercy, generosity, support, etc.; trust in: The members of his wife's family have all thrown themselves on him.
55.
throw out the baby with the bathwater. bathwater(def. 2).
Origin: bef. 1000; ME throwen, thrawen (v.), OE thrāwan to twist, turn; c. D draaien, G drehen to turn, spin, twirl, whirl; akin to L terere, Gk teírein to rub away
Synonyms: 1.fling, launch, send. Throw,cast,pitch,toss imply projecting something through the air. Throw is the general word, often used with an adverb that indicates direction, destination, etc.: to throw a rope to someone, the paper away. Cast is a formal word for throw, archaic except as used in certain idiomatic expressions (to cast a net, black looks; cast down; the compound broadcast, etc.): to cast off a boat. Pitch implies throwing with some force and definite aim: to pitch a baseball. To toss is to throw lightly, as with an underhand or sidewise motion, or to move irregularly up and down or back and forth: to toss a bone to a dog.
throw (thrō) v.
threw (thrōō), thrown (thrōn), throw·ing, throws
v.
tr.
To propel through the air with a motion of the hand or arm.
To discharge into the air by any means: a machine that throws tennis balls; ash that was thrown by an erupting volcano.
To hurl or fling with great force or speed: threw themselves on the food; jetsam that had been thrown up onto the shore.
To force (an opponent) to the ground or floor, as in wrestling or the martial arts.
To cause to fall off: The horse threw its rider.
To put (suddenly or forcefully) into a given condition, position, or activity: threw him into a fit of laughter; threw some supper together; threw her leg over the arm of the chair.
To devote, apply, or direct: threw all their resources into the new endeavor; threw the blame onto the others.
To roll (dice).
To roll (a particular combination) with dice.
To discard or play (a card).
Informal To cause confusion or perplexity in; disconcert or nonplus: We didn't let our worries throw us.
To put on or off hastily or carelessly: throw on a jacket.
To put (suddenly or forcefully) into a given condition, position, or activity: threw him into a fit of laughter; threw some supper together; threw her leg over the arm of the chair.
To devote, apply, or direct: threw all their resources into the new endeavor; threw the blame onto the others.
To roll (dice).
To roll (a particular combination) with dice.
To discard or play (a card).
To form on a potter's wheel: throw a vase.
To twist (fibers) into thread.
Games
To roll (dice).
To roll (a particular combination) with dice.
To discard or play (a card).
To send forth; project: She threw me a look of encouragement.
To cause (one's voice) to seem to come from a source other than oneself.
To cause to fall on or over something; cast: The rising sun threw shadows across the lawn. We threw sheets over the furniture before we painted the ceiling.
To bear (young). Used of cows or horses, for example.
To arrange or give (a party, for example).
To move (a lever or switch) in order to activate, deactivate, or control a device.
Informal To lose or give up (a contest, for example) purposely.
To abandon oneself to; have: heard the news and threw a fit.
To commit (oneself), especially for leniency or support: threw himself on the mercy of the court.
To deliver (a punch), as in boxing: threw a left hook.
v.
intr. To cast, fling, or hurl something. n.
The act or an instance of throwing.
The distance to which something is or can be thrown: a stone's throw away.
Games
A roll or cast of dice.
The combination of numbers so obtained.
A light coverlet, such as an afghan.
A scarf or shawl.
The radius of a circle described by a crank, cam, or similar machine part.
The maximum displacement of a machine part moved by another part, such as a crank or cam.
To get rid of as useless: threw away yesterday's newspaper.
Games To discard: threw away two aces.
To fail to take advantage of: threw away a chance to make a fortune.
To waste or use in a foolish way: threw away her inheritance.
To disengage (a clutch, for example).
To put out of alignment: threw my back out.
Informal A single chance, venture, or instance: "could afford up to forty-five bucks a throw to wax sentimental over their heritage"(John Simon).
Sports The act of throwing or a technique used to throw an opponent in wrestling or the martial arts.
A light coverlet, such as an afghan.
A scarf or shawl.
The radius of a circle described by a crank, cam, or similar machine part.
The maximum displacement of a machine part moved by another part, such as a crank or cam.
To get rid of as useless: threw away yesterday's newspaper.
Games To discard: threw away two aces.
To fail to take advantage of: threw away a chance to make a fortune.
To waste or use in a foolish way: threw away her inheritance.
To disengage (a clutch, for example).
To put out of alignment: threw my back out.
The radius of a circle described by a crank, cam, or similar machine part.
The maximum displacement of a machine part moved by another part, such as a crank or cam.
To get rid of as useless: threw away yesterday's newspaper.
Games To discard: threw away two aces.
To fail to take advantage of: threw away a chance to make a fortune.
To waste or use in a foolish way: threw away her inheritance.
To disengage (a clutch, for example).
To put out of alignment: threw my back out.
Geology The amount of vertical displacement of a fault.
To get rid of as useless: threw away yesterday's newspaper.
Games To discard: threw away two aces.
To fail to take advantage of: threw away a chance to make a fortune.
To waste or use in a foolish way: threw away her inheritance.
To disengage (a clutch, for example).
To put out of alignment: threw my back out.
To fail to take advantage of: threw away a chance to make a fortune.
To waste or use in a foolish way: threw away her inheritance.
To disengage (a clutch, for example).
To put out of alignment: threw my back out.
To utter or perform in an offhand, seemingly careless way: The play's villain throws away the news that the house has burned down.
To hinder the progress of; check: The troops were thrown back.
To revert to an earlier type or stage in one's past.
To cause to depend; make reliant.
To insert or introduce into the course of something: threw in a few snide comments while they conversed.
To add (an extra thing or amount) with no additional charge.
To engage (a clutch, for example).
To cast out; rid oneself of: threw off all unpleasant memories.
To give off; emit: exhaust pipes throwing off fumes.
To distract, divert, or mislead: Crossing the stream, he threw the tracking dogs off. A wrong measurement threw her estimate off.
To do, finish, or accomplish in a casual or offhand way; toss off: threw off a quick response to the letter.
To give off; emit: searchlights throwing out powerful beams.
To reject or discard: The committee threw out her proposal.
To get rid of as useless: threw out the garbage.
Informal To offer, as a suggestion or plan: They sat around throwing out names of people they might want to invite to the party.
To force to leave a place or position, especially in an abrupt or unexpected manner: The convicted judge was thrown out of office. The headwaiter threw the disorderly guest out.
To disengage (a clutch, for example).
To put out of alignment: threw my back out.
Baseball To put out (a base runner) by throwing the ball to the player guarding the base to which the base runner is moving.
To overturn: threw the cart over.
To abandon: threw over her boyfriend of four years; threw over the company they themselves had founded.
To reject.
To vomit.
To abandon; relinquish. She threw up her campaign for mayor.
To construct hurriedly: shoddy houses that were thrown up in a few months.
To refer to something repeatedly: She threw up his past to him whenever they argued.
To project, play, or otherwise display (a slide, videotape, or other recorded image): threw the tape of vacation highlights up on the screen.
Phrasal Verb(s): throw away
To get rid of as useless: threw away yesterday's newspaper.
Games To discard: threw away two aces.
To fail to take advantage of: threw away a chance to make a fortune.
To waste or use in a foolish way: threw away her inheritance.
To fail to take advantage of: threw away a chance to make a fortune.
To waste or use in a foolish way: threw away her inheritance.
To utter or perform in an offhand, seemingly careless way: The play's villain throws away the news that the house has burned down.
throw back
To hinder the progress of; check: The troops were thrown back.
To revert to an earlier type or stage in one's past.
To cause to depend; make reliant.
throw in
To insert or introduce into the course of something: threw in a few snide comments while they conversed.
To add (an extra thing or amount) with no additional charge.
To engage (a clutch, for example).
throw off
To cast out; rid oneself of: threw off all unpleasant memories.
To give off; emit: exhaust pipes throwing off fumes.
To distract, divert, or mislead: Crossing the stream, he threw the tracking dogs off. A wrong measurement threw her estimate off.
To do, finish, or accomplish in a casual or offhand way; toss off: threw off a quick response to the letter.
throw openTo make more accessible, especially suddenly or dramatically: threw open the nomination. throw out
To give off; emit: searchlights throwing out powerful beams.
To reject or discard: The committee threw out her proposal.
To get rid of as useless: threw out the garbage.
Informal To offer, as a suggestion or plan: They sat around throwing out names of people they might want to invite to the party.
To force to leave a place or position, especially in an abrupt or unexpected manner: The convicted judge was thrown out of office. The headwaiter threw the disorderly guest out.
To disengage (a clutch, for example).
To put out of alignment: threw my back out.
Baseball To put out (a base runner) by throwing the ball to the player guarding the base to which the base runner is moving.
throw over
To overturn: threw the cart over.
To abandon: threw over her boyfriend of four years; threw over the company they themselves had founded.
To reject.
throw up
To vomit.
To abandon; relinquish. She threw up her campaign for mayor.
To construct hurriedly: shoddy houses that were thrown up in a few months.
To refer to something repeatedly: She threw up his past to him whenever they argued.
To project, play, or otherwise display (a slide, videotape, or other recorded image): threw the tape of vacation highlights up on the screen.
Idiom(s):
throw cold water onTo express misgivings about or disapproval of; discourage.
Idiom(s):
throw in the towel/spongeTo admit defeat; give up.
Idiom(s):
throw oneself atTo make efforts to attract the interest or affection of (another).
Idiom(s):
throw (one's) weight around Slang To use power or authority, especially in an excessive or heavy-handed way.
Idiom(s):
throw the baby out with the bath water Slang To discard something valuable along with something not desired, usually unintentionally.
Idiom(s):
throw up (one's) handsTo indicate or express utter hopelessness: He threw up his hands and abandoned the argument.
[Middle English throwen, to turn, twist, hurl, from Old English thrāwan; see terə-1 in Indo-European roots.] throw'er n.
Synonyms: These verbs mean to propel something through the air with a motion of the hand or arm. Throw is the least specific: throwing a ball; threw the life preserver to the struggling swimmer. Cast usually refers to throwing something light: cast her fishing line into the stream. Hurl and fling mean to throw with great force: "Him the Almighty Power/Hurl'd headlong flaming from th' Ethereal Sky" (John Milton). He flung the tarpaulin over the boat. Pitch often means to throw with careful aim: "a special basket in my study . . . into which I pitch letters, circulars, pamphlets and so forth" (H.G. Wells). Toss usually means to throw lightly or casually: "Campton tossed the card away" (Edith Wharton). See Also Synonyms at confuse.
n. a try; a time. : Have another throw at it, why don't you?
tv. to confuse someone. : The question really threw me.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition. Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History
throw (v.)
"to project, propel," c.1300, from O.E. þrawan "to twist, turn writhe" (pt. þreow, pp. þrawen), from P.Gmc. *thræ- (cf. O.S. thraian, M.Du. dræyen, Du. draaien, O.H.G. draen, Ger. drehen "to turn, twist;" not found in Scand. or Gothic), from PIE *tere- "to rub, turn, rub by turning, bore" (cf. Skt. turah "wounded, hurt," Gk. teirein "to rub, rub away," L. terere "to rub, thresh, grind, wear away," O.C.S. tiro "to rub," Lith. trinu "to rub," O.Ir. tarathar "borer," Welsh taraw "to strike"). Not the usual O.E. word for "to throw" (weorpan, related to warp was common in this sense). The sense evolution may be via the notion of whirling a missile before throwing it. The sense of "put by force" (e.g. throw in jail) is first recorded 1560; that of "to confuse, flabbergast" is from 1844; that of "lose deliberately" is from 1868. To throw the book at (someone) is 1932, from notion of judge sentencing a criminal from a law book full of possible punishments. To throw (one's) hat in the ring "issue a challenge," esp. to announce one's candidacy, first recorded 1917. To throw up "vomit" is first recorded 1732.
Cast out, rid oneself of, as in He threw off all unpleasant memories and went to the reunion. [Early 1600s]
Give off, emit, as in The garbage was throwing off an awful smell. [First half of 1700s] Also see throw out, def. 1.
Also, throw or put off the scent. Distract, divert, or mislead, as in A mistaken estimate threw off her calculations, or These clues were designed to throw the detective off the scent. The variant comes from hunting, where the quarry may try to put pursuing hounds off the scent. Its figurative use dates from the mid-1800s. Also see off the track.
Perform in a quick, spontaneous, or casual manner, as in He threw off one sketch after another. [Mid-1700s]
[throh] 
verb, threw, thrown, throw⋅ing, noun 