throw: Meaning and Definition of

throw

1. 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. to throw the switch.
1. to move (a lever or the like) in order to activate, turn on, disconnect, etc., an apparatus or mechanism:to throw the switch.
2. 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. 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. to twist (filaments) without attenuation in the production of yarn or thread.
22. 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.

1. to cast, fling, or hurl a missile or the like.
2. He threw away a college education and a professional career.
1. to dispose of; discard.
2. to employ wastefully; squander.
3. to fail to use; miss (a chance, opportunity, etc.):He threw away a college education and a professional career.
3. His illness threw him back a year at school.
1. to retard the development or advancement of:His illness threw him back a year at school.
2. to force into dependence upon or necessary use of.
3. to return to; hark back.
4. to revert to a type found in one's ancestry; manifest atavism:Her red hair and blue eyes throw back to her great-grandmother.
4. See(def. 20).
5. See (def. 5).
6. They throw in breakfast with the room.
1. to add as a bonus or gratuity:They throw in breakfast with the room.
2. to bring into (a discussion, plan, etc.) as an addition; interject:The president threw in an amusing anecdote to relieve the tension.
3. Cards.to abandon (a hand).
7. See(def. 11).
8. See(def. 2).
9. to throw off the wet poncho; to throw off the yoke of slavery.
1. to free oneself of; cast aside:to throw off the wet poncho; to throw off the yoke of slavery.
2. to escape from or delay, as a pursuer.
3. to give off; discharge.
4. to perform or produce with ease:The entertainer threw off a few songs and jokes to begin the show.
5. to confuse; fluster:Thrown off by jeers, she forgot her lines.
6. Australian Slang.to criticize or ridicule (usually fol. by at).
10. 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.
11. to engage in with energy or enthusiasm: She threw herself into learning the new routines.
12. 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.
13. The committee threw out a few suggestions.
1. to cast away; remove; discard.
2. to bring up for consideration; propose:The committee threw out a few suggestions.
3. to put out of mind; reject:We can throw out that scheme.
4. 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.
5. to eject from a place, esp. forcibly:He started making a disturbance so the bartenders threw him out.
6. to expel, as from membership in a club.
14. See(def. 2).
15. to forsake; abandon: She threw over her first husband for another man.
16. See (def. 2).
17. Many nationalities have been thrown together in the American melting pot.
1. to make in a hurried and haphazard manner.
2. to cause to associate:Many nationalities have been thrown together in the American melting pot.
1. to give up; relinquish.
2. to build hastily.
3. to vomit.
4. to point out, as an error; criticize.
5. (of a hawk) to fly suddenly upward.

1. an act or instance of throwing or casting; cast; fling.
2. the distance to which anything is or may be thrown: a stone's throw.
3. a venture or chance: It was his last throw.
1. the distance between the center of a crankshaft and the center of the crankpins, equal to one half of the piston stroke.
2. the distance between the center of a crankshaft and the center of an eccentric.
3. the movement of a reciprocating part in one direction.
5. (in a motion-picture theater) the distance between the projector and the screen.
6. (in an auditorium or the like) the distance between a loudspeaker and the audience.
7. the length of a beam of light: a spotlight with a throw of 500 feet.
8. a scarf, boa, shawl, or the like.
1. the distance to which a spotlight can be projected.
2. the area illuminated by a spotlight.
10. a light blanket, as for use when reclining on a sofa; afghan.
11. a cast of dice.
12. the number thrown with a pair of dice.
13. the act, method, or an instance of throwing an opponent.
14. the amount of vertical displacement produced by a fault.
15. each: He ordered four suits at $300 a throw.