throw
throw — verb
1. to make an object fly by pushing it from your hand with a quick arm movement
to make an object fly by pushing it from your hand with a quick arm movement
Ezra threw the ball to his younger brother across the yard.
transitive: throw + object + to [person]
The children were told not to throw stones at passing cars.
transitive: throw + object + at [target]
Soraya can throw farther than anyone else on her softball team.
intransitive: throw + adverb of distance
A crumpled paper ball was thrown across the classroom during the exam.
passive: be thrown across [space]
Kian threw his jacket onto the back seat of the car.
- throw a ball
- throw a stone
- throw a frisbee
- throw a punch
Grammar Patterns
throw + object
throw + object + prepositional phrase
Usage Note
When used intransitively, the action of throwing is understood from context, e.g. a sports situation. Transitive use requires an object.
Common Mistakes
2. to move your eyes toward someone or something quickly and often briefly, usually
to move your eyes toward someone or something quickly and often briefly, usually to express a feeling like surprise, anger, or interest
Reema threw her mother a worried look before stepping onto the stage.
throw + someone + a look (double-object pattern)
Astrid threw a suspicious glance at the empty cash register.
throw + a glance + at [target]
During the meeting, Christopher threw an annoyed look toward the clock.
The teacher threw a sharp glance at the students who were whispering.
- throw a look
- throw a glance
- throw a stare
- shoot a glance
even quicker and more forceful
- dart a look
emphasises speed and suddenness
Grammar Patterns
throw + someone + a look/glance
throw + a look/glance + at someone
Usage Note
The object is usually a noun related to sight, such as 'look', 'glance', or 'stare'. This sense does not work with ordinary nouns like 'book' or 'phone'.
Common Mistakes
3. to move someone or something to a new place or position with speed and little ca
to move someone or something to a new place or position with speed and little care
Bao threw his dirty clothes into the laundry basket without looking.
throw + object + into [container]
The driver threw the car into reverse and sped away from the scene.
Gabriel threw himself onto the sofa after a long day at work.
throw + reflexive pronoun + onto [surface]
Allison threw a few books into her bag and rushed out the door.
- throw clothes into
- throw yourself onto
- throw a bag on
Grammar Patterns
throw + object + prepositional phrase
throw + reflexive pronoun + prepositional phrase
Usage Note
Often implies carelessness or urgency. When used with a reflexive pronoun (throw oneself), it describes a quick, deliberate body movement. When used with an object, it suggests lack of attention to where or how the thing lands.
Common Mistakes
4. to make someone feel surprised, confused, or unable to react normally because of
to make someone feel surprised, confused, or unable to react normally because of something sudden or unexpected
Sora was completely thrown by the sudden change in the exam format.
passive: be thrown by [unexpected event]
The surprise announcement threw the entire office into confusion.
active: throw + someone + into [state]
Rodrigo was thrown off balance when his manager asked him to lead the project alone.
Questions from the audience threw the speaker during the second half of her talk.
- be thrown by
- throw someone into confusion
- reassure
to make someone feel calm or confident again
Grammar Patterns
be thrown by something
something throws someone
Usage Note
Very common in the passive voice. The passive form 'I was thrown by...' is more natural than the active 'That threw me' in most everyday speech. The phrase 'throw someone off balance' is a fixed expression meaning to make someone feel uncertain.
Common Mistakes
5. to make sure you do not win a contest or match on purpose, often for money or un
to make sure you do not win a contest or match on purpose, often for money or under pressure
The boxer was accused of throwing the fight for a large payment.
throw + a fight (boxing context)
Sofie refused to throw the chess match even though she was offered money.
throw + a match (competitive context)
The goalkeeper admitted he had thrown the game to help a betting group.
An investigation found that the tennis player had thrown several matches.
- throw a game
- throw a match
- throw a fight
- fix
broader — can mean any kind of dishonest arrangement, not just the outcome
- take a dive
informal, mainly for boxing or sports where falling is involved
- win fair and square
to win honestly without cheating
Grammar Patterns
throw + a game/match/fight
Usage Note
Carries a strong negative moral judgement — the player is cheating by not trying their best. Often discussed in news about sports scandals.
Common Mistakes
6. to open a door, window, curtain, or similar object wide and usually with a quick
to open a door, window, curtain, or similar object wide and usually with a quick, forceful movement
Ezra threw open the curtains to let the morning sunlight pour in.
throw open + object (curtains, doors, windows)
Rodrigo threw the window open to hear the music from the street below.
throw + object + open (split pattern)
Soraya threw the heavy wooden doors open and walked into the hall.
The protestors threw open the gates of the building as a sign of defiance.
- throw open a door
- throw open a window
- throw open the curtains
- throw open the gates
- fling open
even more forceful and dramatic
- push open
less intense, no implication of suddenness
- slam shut
to close something with force
Grammar Patterns
throw + object + open
throw open + object
Usage Note
Always used with 'open' immediately after the object. The verb-pair 'throw open' is a fixed collocation — you cannot say 'throw a door widely' or 'throw the window' alone.
Common Mistakes
7. to make a place or event available so that anyone can go in or join, often after
to make a place or event available so that anyone can go in or join, often after it was previously restricted.
The garden will be thrown open to the public this summer for the first time.
passive: be thrown open to the public
Apinya threw the design competition open to students from every department.
The museum director decided to throw open the new exhibition hall for one night only.
active: throw open [place] for [event]
Defne threw open the doors of her art studio during the local festival.
throw open the doors — idiomatically means welcome all
- throw open the doors
- throw open to the public
- throw open the competition
- open up
less dramatic; simply means making accessible
- make accessible
more formal; used in official contexts
Grammar Patterns
throw something open (to someone)
be thrown open to [public/guests]
Usage Note
Usually used with 'open' as a fixed phrase: 'throw open' or 'be thrown open'. When the place is the subject, the passive is more common ('The doors were thrown open').
8. to plan, prepare for, and hold a social event such as a party, dinner, or celebr
to plan, prepare for, and hold a social event such as a party, dinner, or celebration.
Gabriel threw a huge party for his thirtieth birthday at the beach house.
collocation: throw a party for [occasion]
The school is throwing a farewell dinner for the retiring head teacher.
Every year the neighbourhood association throws a summer barbecue in the park.
subject can be an organization, not just a person
The team threw a surprise lunch for the coach after the championship win.
- throw a party
- throw a dinner
- throw a barbecue
- throw a celebration
Grammar Patterns
throw + a party
throw + a dinner / a reception / a celebration
Usage Note
Informal equivalent of 'give a party' or 'host a party'. The object is always a type of social event — never a person ('throw my mother' is wrong).
Common Mistakes
9. to suddenly behave in a very angry way, for example by shouting, crying, or losi
to suddenly behave in a very angry way, for example by shouting, crying, or losing control of your emotions.
The toddler threw a tantrum when his mother said it was time to leave.
collocation: throw a tantrum (especially children)
Hassan threw a fit when he saw that someone had scratched his new car.
My grandmother threw a wobbly when they changed the TV schedule without warning.
collocation: throw a wobbly (British informal)
Christopher threw a fit at the airport when his flight was cancelled.
- throw a fit
- throw a tantrum
- throw a wobbly
- lose one's temper
less dramatic; does not imply shouting or crying
- lose it
very informal; broader meaning
- stay calm
to keep control of your emotions
Grammar Patterns
throw + a fit / a tantrum / a wobbly
Usage Note
The object is always a fixed noun phrase expressing anger ('a fit', 'a tantrum', 'a wobbly'). 'Throw a fit' can be used for adults as well as children; 'throw a tantrum' is more common for young children. 'Throw a wobbly' is British informal.
Common Mistakes
10. to use your hands to give shape to soft clay as it turns on a spinning round tab
to use your hands to give shape to soft clay as it turns on a spinning round table, making pots, bowls, or other containers.
Aoi spent the afternoon learning to throw a clay bowl on the potter's wheel.
collocation: throw [object] on a potter's wheel
The potter threw a set of six matching cups in just two hours.
Eliska took a weekend class to learn how to throw pots and glaze them.
collocation: throw pots (plural, general skill)
Darius watched the potter throw a vase from a lump of wet clay.
- throw a pot
- throw a vase
- throw clay
- throw on the wheel
Grammar Patterns
throw + a pot / a vase / a bowl
throw + clay / pottery
Usage Note
This is craft-specific vocabulary used in pottery. You cannot 'throw' pottery made by other methods (hand-building, moulding) — only on a wheel. The word 'throw' here refers to the shaping action, not to hurling.
Common Mistakes
11. to put something or someone into a place, position, or condition quickly and wit
to put something or someone into a place, position, or condition quickly and without care, often with force.
Vinícius threw his wet coat onto the back of a chair and sat down.
throw [object] onto [surface] — careless placement
The sudden power cut threw the whole building into darkness.
be thrown into [state] — forced change of condition
The judge threw the criminal into prison for his crimes.
Emily threw her school bag on the floor and went straight to the kitchen.
- throw into prison
- throw into confusion
- throw into darkness
- throw onto the bed
- throw in the bin
Grammar Patterns
throw + object + into/in/on + place
throw + object + into + state
be thrown into + state (passive)
Usage Note
Can be literal (throwing clothes onto a chair) or figurative (throwing someone into confusion, throwing someone into prison). The figurative sense implies speed and force rather than careful deliberation. 'Throw in/into' is more deliberate than 'drop' and less violent than 'hurl'.
Common Mistakes
12. to shake dice and release them so they land on a table or board, giving a random
to shake dice and release them so they land on a table or board, giving a random result for a game.
Quinn threw the dice and moved her piece six squares forward.
Rohan threw a seven and won the backgammon game.
throw + a number = obtain that total when rolling
The rules say each player must throw the dice twice per turn.
throw the dice — standard gaming expression
Gabriel threw a double six and everyone at the table cheered.
- throw the dice
- throw a six
- throw doubles
- throw again
Grammar Patterns
throw + the dice / a die
throw + a number (a six / a seven)
Usage Note
In board games and gambling, 'roll the dice' is more common in American English; 'throw the dice' is used in both British and American English. The singular 'die' is used when referring to one cube: 'throw a single die'.
Common Mistakes
13. to push, pull, or turn a switch, lever, or similar control, causing a connected
to push, pull, or turn a switch, lever, or similar control, causing a connected device or machine to start, stop, or change what it does
Zayd threw the switch and the whole workshop lit up.
collocation: throw a switch
The forklift driver threw a lever to lift the heavy wooden pallet.
Mira threw the car into reverse and backed slowly out of the narrow garage.
collocation: throw + vehicle into gear
Before touching the wires, Hari threw the main power switch on the fuse box.
collocation: throw a power / main switch
Sirin threw the gear lever forward and the tractor began to move across the field.
- throw a switch
- throw a lever
- throw into gear
- throw the breaker
Grammar Patterns
throw + switch/lever/gear
Usage Note
The object is typically a switch, lever, or gear stick rather than a button or dial. Common when describing starting or stopping machinery, changing gears in a vehicle, or cutting power to equipment.
Common Mistakes
throw away
phrasal verbto get rid of something you do not want by putting it in a rubbish bin
Allison threw away the old magazines to make space on her shelf.
throw in
phrasal verbto add something extra to an offer or deal without asking for more money
The car dealer threw in a free GPS system with the purchase.
throw out
phrasal verbto reject a plan, suggestion, or piece of evidence by deciding it is not acceptable
The judge threw out the case because there was not enough evidence.
throw up
phrasal verbto suddenly leave your job or stop doing an activity
Christopher threw up his job at the bank to follow his dream of painting.
throw up
phrasal verbto cause something such as dust or water to rise into the air
The passing truck threw up a cloud of dust along the dirt road.
throw together
phrasal verbto make or prepare something quickly and without much effort
Astrid threw together a simple pasta dish before the guests arrived.
throw yourself into
phrasal verbto start doing an activity with a lot of energy and enthusiasm
After moving to a new country, Reema threw herself into learning the local language.
throw aside
phrasal verbTo stop using or considering something because it is not useful or important.
Maya threw aside her old notes and started fresh.
Why did you throw aside that good idea so quickly?
throw back at
phrasal verbTo use someone's own words or arguments against them in an argument.
Omar threw his criticism back at him during the debate.
Don't throw my past mistakes back at me now.
throw back on
phrasal verbTo force someone to rely on something because other options are not available.
The storm threw us back on our emergency supplies.
Losing his job threw him back on his savings.
throw into
phrasal verbTo put someone or something into a particular state or situation, often suddenly.
The news threw the family into a state of shock.
Who threw the room into such chaos?
throw off
phrasal verbTo remove something quickly or to escape from someone who is following you.
Diego threw off his coat and jumped into the pool.
The spy managed to throw off his pursuers.
throw on
phrasal verbTo put on a piece of clothing quickly and carelessly.
Min threw on a jacket and ran out the door.
She threw on her shoes without tying them.
throw open
phrasal verbTo open something wide, or to make something available to everyone.
Aiden threw open the windows to let in fresh air.
The museum threw open its doors for free admission.
throw over
phrasal verbTo end a romantic relationship with someone, especially suddenly.
She threw over her boyfriend for someone new.
Why did he throw over his fiancée without explanation?
throw yourself at
phrasal verbTo make it very clear that you want to have a romantic or sexual relationship with someone.
Sara threw herself at him, but he wasn't interested.
Don't throw yourself at someone who doesn't respect you.
a stone's throw
idioma very short distance away from a place
The new supermarket is just a stone's throw from Kian's apartment.
throw in the towel
idiomto stop trying to do something because you know you will not succeed
After trying to fix the engine for hours, Bao threw in the towel and called a mechanic.
to stop worrying about risks or possible bad results and do something daring
Sofie threw caution to the wind and quit her job to travel around Asia.
to use your position or power to tell other people what to do in an unpleasant way
The new regional manager started throwing his weight around and made everyone unhappy.
to cause a problem that stops a plan or process from working as expected
The sudden storm threw a monkey wrench in the works for the outdoor wedding.
throw — noun
1. a single movement of your arm or hand in which you send something through the ai
a single movement of your arm or hand in which you send something through the air
Valentina's first throw of the ball went straight over the catcher's head.
possessive + throw + of + object
With a powerful throw, Nila sent the discus past all other marks in the field.
adjective + throw (powerful)
The umpire called a foul throw because the pitcher's foot had crossed the line.
foul throw (sports term)
Christopher practiced his throw every evening until his shoulder felt sore and tired.
- first throw
- make a throw
- foul throw
- throw of the ball
Grammar Patterns
possessive + throw
make + a/the + throw
adjective + throw
Usage Note
Common in baseball, cricket, and athletics contexts. The object being thrown is often specified after 'of' (a throw of the ball) or implied by the sport.
Common Mistakes
2. used after a number or price to show the cost for each individual item or single
used after a number or price to show the cost for each individual item or single instance
Tickets for the front-row seats were fifty dollars a throw at the box office.
price + a throw (cost per item)
The street vendor sold handmade woollen scarves at just two pounds a throw.
Massage sessions at that spa cost ninety dollars a throw for non-members.
Lan paid three hundred pounds a throw for the designer chairs, buying four in total.
number + a throw (each)
- a throw
- dollars a throw
- pounds a throw
Grammar Patterns
amount + a throw
Usage Note
Appears exclusively in the pattern '[amount] + a throw'. Cannot be pluralised ('two throws' would not work in this sense without the fixed expression). The amount can be a specific number or a vague quantity (e.g. 'a dollar a throw').
Common Mistakes
3. a decorative piece of fabric that you place loosely over a sofa, chair, or bed t
a decorative piece of fabric that you place loosely over a sofa, chair, or bed to keep it clean or improve the room's appearance
Maeve bought a soft cotton throw to drape over her tired old brown sofa.
throw + over [furniture] (fabric cover)
The guest bedroom had a floral throw neatly folded at the foot of the bed.
Adina spilled red wine on the throw and put it straight into the washing machine.
Sari picked a knitted throw with a geometric pattern to match the living-room curtains.
material + throw (knitted)
- cotton throw
- knitted throw
- drape a throw
- fold a throw
- floral throw
Grammar Patterns
throw + over/on + [furniture]
material/colour + throw
Usage Note
A 'throw' in this sense is usually smaller and lighter than a blanket. It is used decoratively on sofas and armchairs, though larger throws may also cover a bed.
4. a single act of rolling dice in a game, or the number shown after the dice stop
a single act of rolling dice in a game, or the number shown after the dice stop moving
Ayana rolled a seven on her first throw of the dice in the board game.
throw of the dice
With one lucky throw, Inês doubled her score and took the lead that round.
adjective + throw (lucky)
The game rules say each player gets three throws and keeps the highest number.
The Watanabe children held their breath as the dice tumbled, waiting for the final throw.
final throw (last roll)
- throw of the dice
- first throw
- lucky throw
- final throw
Grammar Patterns
throw of the dice
make a throw
ordinal + throw
Usage Note
When the result (the number) is the focus, the context usually makes this clear: 'a throw of six' means the number six appeared. In games like Monopoly or craps, this sense is very frequent.
Word family
- throwernounB2
- throwawayadjectiveB2
- overthrowverbC1
- throwbacknounC1
- outthrowverbC2
- upthrownounC2
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
'Throw' is the neutral all-purpose verb for sending something through the air with your hand. 'Toss' is lighter and more casual — you toss a coin or toss a salad, but you would not toss a javelin. 'Hurl' adds force and often anger: you hurl a rock at a window. 'Fling' suggests wild, energetic motion with emotion behind it (she flung her coat on the bed), while 'chuck' is informal British/American slang for casual discarding (just chuck it in the bin). 'Pitch' is the technical word in baseball (pitch a fastball) but outside sports it can mean 'to throw roughly' (pitch the drunkard out the door). Use 'throw' unless you need the extra colour of one of these alternatives.
Common collocations
Etymology
From Old English þrawan, meaning 'to twist, turn, or toss'. The original sense involved twisting (as in 'throw a rope' or 'throw silk'), which shifted by the 1200s to the modern meaning of projecting an object through the air. The many extended senses (throwing a party, throwing a fit, throwing a switch) developed from the 1500s onward through the idea of setting something in motion suddenly.