throw
The irregular verb “throw” is very common in English. A person who throws something, sends it from a point of origin to another location. This is a physical action, usually accomplished with an arm. The word “throw” is also used in many different phrasal verbs and idioms.
- I threw the ball to my friend.
- Throw that to me.
- Don’t throw those rocks against the house.
- The snowblower throws snow from the driveway.
- Someone in the building a throwing a party this weekend. (throw a party = have a party.)
throw
throw / threw / thrown / throwing
a. throw
To throw something is to move it from one physical location to another. There must be some kind of movement, usually through the air. Things typically thrown are balls, rocks, sticks, and other things for games and conflicts.
- The kids are throwing the ball to each other.
- Protestors threw rocks at the police.
- I can’t reach that towel. Can you throw it to me?
- Throw me the towel.
- My dog likes it when I throw a ball for her to retrieve.
a. throw
- The pitcher in baseball throws a baseball towards a hitter.
b. phrasal verbs
In everyday spoken English, you will hear “throw” used quite often as part of a phrasal verb.
- After 35 years of doing business as a restaurant, Bill and Laura have finally decided to throw in the towel. (throw in the towel = quit)
- Renee is throwing up in the bathroom because she drank too much. (throw up = vomit)
- We’re all going to throw in some money for Berniece whose mother just died. (throw in = contribute money)
- You have to throw out that old TV. (throw out = discard)
- You have to throw it away. (same as above)
- The man was thrown out of the public meeting because he was out of control. (throw out = remove for bad behavior)
- Throw on some nice clothes and we’ll go out tonight. (throw on – put on)
b. phrasal verbs
- After Jill came off of the rollercoaster, she felt like she was going to throw up.
- Maria threw George out of the apartment because he was too hard to live with.
c. idioms
There are a lot of popular expressions and idioms that include the word “throw.”
- George threw his coworkers under the bus when he promised to complete a project but then promptly left the company. (throw under the bus = betray; show disloyalty)
- To make a lot of extra money for himself, the pitcher threw the game. (throw the game or match = to give up, usually for some reward or compensation)
- We’re going to throw a party next weekend if you want to come. (throw a party = have a party)
- That guy really knows how to throw his weight around at work. (throw weight around = use influence or position to achieve a goal)
c. idioms
- Ophelia threw her teammates under the bus by intentionally throwing the game.
- Who’s throwing the party?