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Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.
throw verb (threw , thrown , throwing) 1 tr & intr to propel or hurl through the air with force, especially with a rapid forward movement of the hand and arm. 2 to move or hurl into a specified position, especially suddenly or violently. 3 to put into a specified condition, especially suddenly threw them into confusion. 4 to direct, cast or emit a candle throwing shadows on the wall throw a glance. 5 colloq to puzzle or confuse. 6 said of a horse: to make (its rider) fall off. 7 wrestling, judo to bring (one's opponent) to the ground. 8 to move (a switch or lever) so as to operate a mechanism. 9 to make (pottery) on a potter's wheel. 10 colloq to lose (a contest) deliberately, especially in return for a bribe. 11 a tr & intr to roll (dice) on to a flat surface; b to obtain (a specified number) by throwing dice. 12 to have or suffer throw a tantrum. 13 to give (a party). 14 to deliver (a punch). 15 to cause (one's voice) to appear to come from elsewhere. noun 1 an act of throwing or instance of being thrown. 2 the distance something is thrown. 3 colloq an article, item or turn, etc sell them at £2 a throw. 4 geol the amount by which a fault in a stratum is displaced vertically. 5 a piece of fabric that is used to cover a piece of furniture, eg a settee, bed, etc, by placing it loosely over the furniture. throw in one's hand colloq to give up or abandon what one is doing. throw in the towel or sponge see under towel. throw oneself into something to begin doing it with great energy or enthusiasm. throw oneself on something to rely or depend on (someone's goodwill, sympathies or mercy, etc). throw something open 1 to open it suddenly and widely. 2 to allow anyone to enter or take part in (a debate, etc). throw up one's hands to raise them in the air quickly, usually as a sign of despair or horror, etc.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon thrawan to twist.
throw something about or around to throw it in various directions; to scatter it. throw something away 1 to discard it or get rid of it. 2 to fail to take advantage of it; to waste or lose it through lack of care He threw away his chance to become champion. See also throwaway. throw someone or something back to delay or hinder their or its progress to a specified extent The problem threw us back six months. throw someone back on something to force them to rely on it. throw back to something to revert to some earlier, ancestral character or type. See also throwback. throw something in 1 to include or add it as a gift or as part of a deal at no extra cost. 2 to contribute (a remark) to a discussion, especially casually. 3 (also throw in) sport to return (the ball) to play by throwing it in from the sideline. See also throw-in. throw something off 1 to get rid of it throw off a cold. 2 to write or say it in an offhand or careless way. 3 to remove (clothing) hurriedly. throw something on to put on (clothing) hurriedly. throw someone out 1 to expel them. 2 to confuse or disconcert them. throw something out 1 to get rid of it; to reject or dismiss it. 2 to say it in a casual or offhand manner. 3 to cause it to extend or project, especially from a main body throw out a new wing. throw someone over to leave or abandon them, especially a lover. throw people together said of circumstances, etc: to bring them into contact by chance. throw something together to construct it hurriedly or temporarily. throw up colloq to vomit. throw something up 1 to give it up or abandon it. 2 to build or erect it hurriedly. 3 to bring up (eg a meal) by vomiting. |
throw There is sometimes a spelling confusion between throw and throe. |
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Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.
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